NTU Innovation

NTU Singapore's vibrant research culture has earned it international recognition in areas such as advanced materials, biomedical engineering, clean energy and environment, computational biology, intelligent systems, nanotechnology, and wireless & broadband communication.

Witness how our research advances are shaping the future.

2024

Robots as small as a grain deliver drugs

Robots as small as a grain deliver drugs

No, this isn't a scene from a movie! This tiny robot can indeed travel within the human body to deliver targeted medical drugs, releasing them in a programmed order and precise dosage.
Ancient construction method used in the fabrication of modern microparticles

Ancient construction method used in the fabrication of modern microparticles

NTU scientists have developed a groundbreaking method to create advanced microparticles, slightly wider than a human hair.
Sustainable antibacterial food wrap that changes colour when food goes bad

Sustainable antibacterial food wrap that changes colour when food goes bad

This wrap, made from recycled fruit seeds, offers a sustainable, biodegradable alternative to plastic and has antibacterial properties to prevent contamination.
3D-printed active fabric for healthcare and robotics

3D-printed active fabric for healthcare and robotics

Think of a pangolin's interlocking scales forming a hard, protective shell. Scientists at NTU have adapted this concept into a new wearable fabric that is flexible but can stiffen on demand.
Plaster-like microlaser device measures glucose levels in sweat accurately

Plaster-like microlaser device measures glucose levels in sweat accurately

Uncomfortable with finger pricks for health monitoring? NTU scientists have developed a smart 'band-aid' as a non-invasive alternative.
Cool paint made sustainable using recycled plastics

Cool paint made sustainable using recycled plastics

This innovative paint uses passive radiative cooling to send heat from Earth into space through an atmospheric "window", reflecting most sunlight.
Smart reusable adhesive brings us one step closer to Spider-Man

Smart reusable adhesive brings us one step closer to Spider-Man

NTU scientists devised a smart adhesive with shape-memory polymers, enabling easy stick-and-detach through temperature changes.
Turning beer leftovers into nutritional gold

Turning beer leftovers into nutritional gold

NTU scientists have developed a new method of extracting 80% of the protein from leftover grains created by brewing beer.
Mobile app helps patients and caregivers manage diabetes

Mobile app helps patients and caregivers manage diabetes

WellFeet can be accessed in English, Mandarin Chinese and Malay, and offers personalistion options for tracking daily tasks.
Ultra-thin semiconductor fibres turn fabrics into wearable electronics

Ultra-thin semiconductor fibres turn fabrics into wearable electronics

Imagine a smart beanie aiding the visually impaired to navigate safely, or a smartwatch tracking heart rate directly from its strap.
Pushing the frontiers of soft electronics

Controlling a robot using gestures, just like a Jedi using The Force

This smart motion sensing relies on a flexible biosensor crafted by NTU material scientists.
NTU worms

Bacteria found in the guts of these worms can break down plastics

The scientists made an artificial 'worm gut' by extracting and incubating bacteria, speeding up the degradation of plastics.
New way to clear brain waste linked to Alzheimer's disease

New way to clear brain waste linked to Alzheimer's disease

Scientists found a "metabolic switch" boosting immune cells' energy efficiency, enhancing beta amyloid clearance by 20%.

2023

EtaVolt

A new way to rejuvenate old solar panels

Developed by EtaVolt, an NTU spin-off company, this device energises solar cells with light intensities many times that of sunlight.
Food & Waste

Our World to Change: Episode 3, Food & Waste

CNA documentary series on NTU’s sustainability efforts (Episode 3)
Energy & Environment

Our World to Change: Episode 2, Energy & Environment

CNA documentary series on NTU’s sustainability efforts (Episode 2)
Earth & Water

Our World to Change: Episode 1, Earth & Water

CNA documentary series on NTU’s sustainability efforts (Episode 1)
Gaia

Introducing Gaia, the largest wooden building in Asia

Asia's largest mass-engineered timber building, Green Mark Platinum certified for Zero Energy by BCA Singapore.
Energy storage liquids

Upcycling plastics into liquid energy carriers

NTU Singapore scientists use LEDs and a common catalyst at room temperature to upcycle most plastics into energy storage chemicals.
Silicon from expired solar panels

Upcycling silicon from expired solar panels into lithium-ion batteries

NTU Singapore scientists recycle old solar panels into high-purity silicon for electric vehicle batteries.
Upcycling jackfruit seeds

Upcycling jackfruit seeds from waste to food-grade gold

NTU scientists have found a way to convert plastics into valuable chemical starting materials using light at room temperature.
Smart contact lenses

An ultra-thin battery powered by saline for smart contact lenses

NTU Singapore scientists create ultra-thin, saline-powered battery for potential use in smart contact lenses.
Kale waste

Turning kale waste into treasure

NTU Singapore scientists innovate to repurpose kale waste for eco-friendly health and personal care products, cutting food waste and emissions.
Batteries

Pilot plant extracts metals from battery waste

The plant can process 2,000 liters of shredded batteries mixed with fruit peel solvents to extract electrode materials.
Circuit Board

A universal way to assemble stretchable devices in ‘Lego-like’ manner

An NTU-led team created a universal connector for easily assembling stretchable devices, akin to Lego.

2022

Prof Lai Changquan and Mr Lim Guo Yao

Converting waste paper into battery parts

Turning waste paper packaging and shopping bags into battery parts that can power smartphones and electric vehicles.
Prof Ang Wei Tech and Prof Karen Chua

Wearable robot catches falls

Named "Mister-Bah," the robot swiftly detects balance loss and deploys a hip-mounted safety harness to protect the user.
Invisible coating protects wood from fire

Invisible coating protects wood from fire

Wood you believe it? "Fire-proofing" wood and yet retaining the natural aesthetics of wood grain is now possible.
Stretchable fabric-like energy harvester

Creating eco-friendly on-the-go chargeable wearables

Three ultrathin energy devices have been developed to help power wearable devices.
Eco-friendly Biocement

Turning urine and industrial sludge into eco-friendly biocement

New soil-boosting method to protect Singapore's beaches more effectively than concrete.
3D-print a concrete bench from recycled glass waste

3D-print a concrete bench from recycled glass waste

NTU researchers 3D-printed a 40cm tall concrete bench with a recycled glass mix.
Using microalgae to produce an alternative to palm oil

Using microalgae to produce an alternative to palm oil

NTU Singapore scientists have devised an efficient method to extract plant-based oils from common microalgae.

2021

Glass that adapts to heating and cooling needs

Glass that adapts to heating and cooling needs

his first-of-its-kind glass automatically responds to changing temperatures by switching between heating and cooling.

A ‘greener’ way to make fertiliser

Scientists use a catalyst to create urea from CO2, nitrate, and hydrogen at room temperature, improving energy efficiency and sustainability.

Break a sweat to recharge this battery

NTU Singapore scientists create a a soft and stretchable battery fueled by sweat.
Smart fabric stiffens on demand

'Smart' fabric stiffens on demand

NTU Singapore and Caltech scientists created flexible fabric that stiffens when needed.

Bullfrog skin and fish scales for bone repair

An NTU Singapore team created a biomaterial for bone repair from discarded bullfrog skin and fish scales.

Tackling marine oil spills with pollen sponge

Scientists led by NTU Singapore create a reusable biodegradable sponge that can readily soak up oil.
A COVID-19 test to detect virus variants

A COVID-19 test to detect virus variants

Researchers from NTU Singapore, A*STAR, and NUHS created a test for evolved Sars-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19.
Plant ‘communication’ device

A way to ‘communicate’ with plants

NTU created a plant 'communication' device with a hydrogel-attached electrode on a Venus flytrap.
Portable device creates 3D images of skin

Portable device creates 3D images of skin in 10 mins

The portable skin mapping device could be used to assess the severity of skin conditions.
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