Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

New Perovskite Fabrication Method for Large-Scale Production

A new, simpler solution process for fabricating stable perovskite solar cells overcomes the key bottleneck to large-scale production and commercialization of this promising renewable-energy technology, which has remained tantalizingly out of reach for more than a decade.

Antibacterial Gel Bandage Developed Using Durian Husk

Food scientists have made an antibacterial gel bandage using the discarded husks of the popular tropical fruit, durian.

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.

Flexible Crystal Paves Way for Efficient Bendable Electronics

A team of researchers has developed a new material, that when electricity is applied to it, can flex and bend forty times more than its competitors, opening the way to better micro machines.

Dishing up 3D Printed Food, One Tasty Printout at a Time

Researchers have developed a new way to create "food inks" from fresh and frozen vegetables, that preserves their nutrition and flavour better than existing methods. Food inks are usually made from pureed foods in liquid or semi-solid form, then 3D-printed by extrusion from a nozzle, and assembled layer by layer.

Hybrid Chips can run AI on Battery Powered Devices

Smartwatches and other battery-powered electronics would be even smarter if they could run AI algorithms. But efforts to build AI-capable chips for mobile devices have so far hit a wall - the so-called "memory wall" that separates data processing and memory chips that must work together to meet the massive and continually growing computational demands imposed by AI.

Mini-Brains Help Robots Recognise Pain and Self-Repair

Using a brain-inspired approach, scientists have developed a way for robots to have the artificial intelligence to recognise pain and to self-repair when damaged.

The Best of Both Worlds: New Take on Metal-Plastic Hybrid 3D Printing

Scientists develop a novel and surprisingly simple method to print 3D structures made of metal and plastic, paving the way for 3D electronics.

Fruit Peel Turns Old Batteries Into New

Scientists have developed a novel method of using fruit peel waste to extract and reuse precious metals from spent lithium-ion batteries in order to create new batteries.

Biorubber Glue for Faster Surgical Recovery and Pain Relief

Materials scientists have invented a new type of surgical glue that can help join blood vessels and close wounds faster and may also serve as a platform to deliver pain relief drugs.

Skin-Like Electronics and Computer Vision Recognise Hand Gestures

Scientists have developed an artificial intelligence system that recognises hand gestures by combining skin-like electronics with computer vision.

Record Conversion for Perovskite Solar Cells

A team of researchers has created a perovskite solar mini module that has recorded the highest power conversion efficiency of any perovskite-based device larger than 10 cm2.

Electrics and Electronics Becomes User-Dedicated Smart Material

An important new trend is buying electrics and electronics you customise to function not just shape. See the new IDTechEx report, "Complete Electronics as Smart Material, User-Customized 2020-2040". Builders, textile manufacturers, those doing home improvement and others are starting to buy electrically-smart materials direct from materials companies, bypassing the electronics industry.

Deep Learning for Mechanical Property Evaluation

A standard method for testing some of the mechanical properties of materials is to poke them with a sharp point. This "indentation technique" can provide detailed measurements of how the material responds to the point's force, as a function of its penetration depth.

Revolutionary reversible 4D Printing

Imagine having your curtains extended or retracted automatically without needing to lift a finger Reversible 4D printing technology could make these 'smart curtains' a reality without the use of any sensors or electrical devices, and instead rely on the changing levels of heat during the different times of the day to change its shape.

A Thermometer can be Stretched and Crumpled by Water

Recent outbreaks of the novel coronavirus have emphasized the importance of quarantine and prevention more than ever. When monitoring changes in our body, body temperature is first measured. So, it is very significant to measure the temperature accurately and promptly.

Scientists Convert Plastics into Useful Chemicals for Fuel Cells

Chemists have discovered a method that could turn plastic waste into valuable chemicals by using sunlight. In lab experiments, the research team mixed plastics with their catalyst in a solvent, which allows the solution to harness light energy and convert the dissolved plastics into formic acid - a chemical used in fuel cells to produce electricity.

Perovskite Solar Cells Can Capture More Electricity

Scientists have developed a method to analyse which pairs of materials in next-generation perovskite solar cells will harvest the most energy.

Alibaba unveils its own AI chip

Alibaba Group plans to launch its first self-developed AI inference chip, which has potential for use in autonomous driving, smart cities and smart logistics. In addition to this, the Academy will boost its R&D in AI chips for training on the cloud and for IOT applications.