Agency for Science, Technology & Research (A*STAR)

Xinterra

Xinterra is a materials informatics start-up from Singapore. IDTechEx spoke with Patrick Teyssonneyre (CEO).

CRISPR Based COVID-19 Test Detects the Virus Even When it Mutates

A team of scientists has developed a diagnostic test that can detect the virus that causes COVID-19 even after it has gone through mutations. Called the VaNGuard (Variant Nucleotide Guard) test, it makes use of a gene-editing tool known as CRISPR, which is used widely in scientific research to alter DNA sequences and modify gene function in human cells under lab conditions, and more recently, in diagnostic applications.

Founder of Tera-Barrier Films is Innovator of the Year for Technology

With Senthil's innovation, the barrier properties of a single oxide barrier layer increased to up to 10,000 times, when a single nano sealing layer is coated on the barrier oxide layer. Barrier properties of the multilayer skyrocketed to up to 10-7 grams per square meter per day as tested by the top university in Japan.

Scientists simplify lithium-sulfur battery production

Singapore scientists have developed a novel approach to prepare next-generation lithium-sulfur cathodes, which simplifies the typically time-consuming and complicated process for producing them.

A*ccelerate and SIMTech are part of A*STAR- Singapore's lead public se

A*ccelerate and SIMTech are part of A*STAR- Singapore's lead public sector agency that spearheads economic oriented research to advance scientific discovery and develop innovation technology for the industry.

Strength in numbers for 3D printing

Additive manufacturing, also called 3D printing, is commonly used to build complex three-dimensional objects, layer by layer. Researchers have shown that the process can also help to make a high-performance alloy even stronger.

Polymer power potential

The mantra 'reduce, reuse, recycle' is increasingly pertinent. Every year, vast amounts of energy that could be captured and reused is lost through waste heat. Now, scientists have demonstrated, through theoretical calculations, that it may be possible to fabricate thermoelectric organic polymers that can convert heat into electrical energy with high efficiency.

Helping fuel cells beat the heat

A strategy for stabilizing silver films could make high-efficiency fuel cells usable in portable devices.

Customizable, fabric-like power source

Scientists have created a customizable, fabric-like power source that can be cut, folded or stretched without losing its function.

Repairing damaged hearts with self-healing heart cells

New research has discovered a potential means to trigger damaged heart cells to self-heal. The discovery could lead to groundbreaking forms of treatment for heart diseases.

Toward the factories of the future

Automation, robotics, advanced computer-aided design, sensing and diagnostic technologies have revolutionized the modern factory, allowing the building of complex products, from microchips to cars and even airplanes, with unprecedented cost-efficiency, scale and reliability.

New technique may produce more durable and longer lasting batteries

Now, researchers have developed a new way of producing more durable and longer lasting lithium-ion batteries.

Tiny additions yield stronger components

Superalloys are the wonder materials of metallurgy. By fine-tuning their composition, scientists can increase mechanical strength and improve resistance to corrosion and high-temperature shape changes.

Going carbon free boosts battery life

Zinc-air batteries are one of the most promising solutions for the large-scale storage of intermittently-generated renewable electricity from solar, wind or tidal: they are non-flammable, inexpensive and with a very high energy density.

Three-layer nanoparticle catalysts improve zinc-air batteries

Nanoparticles containing three different layers of material can help to boost the performance of a zinc-air battery, researchers have found.