TECHINNOVATION TECH OFFERS

Arm and hand impairment is the major problem usually found in stroke patients, which extremely affects their quality of life. Moreover, motor rehabilitation using conventional physical therapy is ineffective in stroke patients who have severe to moderate arm and hand impairment due to inability to perform voluntary movement. In order to help these patients regain arm and hand function, we have researched and developed brain-computer interface system for motor rehabilitation in stroke patients. This system can help stroke patients learn how to do voluntary arm and hand movement by using only their thoughts or brain signals; additionally, it can also enhance neural plasticity that is the key concept in stroke recovery. Finally, we aim to distribute this technology to the department of rehabilitation in hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, and home use.

To address the challenges in chewing and swallowing faced by the elderly and other special care groups such as stroke patients, researchers from a Thai university have developed ready-to-eat wholemeal purees that serve as an all-in-one meal support. Suitable for those on an IDDSI Level 4 diet, it is designed as a healthy, special care food to provide high nutritional values and energy and to aid health rehabilitation and recovery. In addition to patients with dysphagia, this puree is also suitable for health-conscious consumers.  The team is seeking partners to bring the product to commercialisation and obtain certification according to global standards. They are also open to further develop and customise new products.

Melatonin is an antioxidant with numerous medical and nutraceutical applications. It plays an important role in the body and assists in synchronising circadian rhythms and sleep. Melatonin is most commonly administered orally at a dosage of 2 mg for treating primary insomnia. Beside melatonin tablets, consumption of tropical fruits such as pineapples, oranges and bananas was also found to result in elevated melatonin concentration in the human body. However, the effective absorption of melatonin through oral administration varies from individuals, and diabetics or the elderly would not able to consume enough of such fruits to achieve the required melatonin concentration for treating insomnia. Melatonin is also suitable for transdermal delivery due to its low required dose, short biological half-life, low molecular weight. This technology, in the form of a sleeping mask, is enriched with tropical fruit extracts such as pineapples, oranges, and bananas, combined with melatonin encapsulated in nanovesicles. Beyond its revitalising impact on facial skin, this dual-purpose mask also promotes tranquil sleep, offering an appealing solution for individuals seeking respite from sleep troubles without resorting to conventional melatonin tablets.  The technology is particularly advantageous for those navigating health restrictions, such as prolonged use of melatonin tablets or managing high blood sugar, and for those who prefer to regulate sugary fruit intake. 

This technology offer features a natural remedy for scar reduction. The formulation integrates 15% shallot (Allium ascalonicum) extract and 0.01% quercetin, both well-known for their antioxidant potency and anti-wrinkle effects. These active ingredients are also known for their scar treatment properties. This formulation is positioned as an innovative alternative for individuals afflicted with elevated scars arising from surgical interventions, acne, or various traumatic injuries.  The shallot extract is obtained by employing environmentally conscious solvents alongside an ultrasonic extraction technique that is simpler and more efficient than conventional processes. Further elevating its efficacy, the encapsulation of pivotal quercetin within nanotechnology constructs facilitates heightened skin absorption. 

Eggs are a widely popular protein source, however, egg production requires a significant amount of natural resources. Hence, this technology aims to substitute chicken eggs with plant-based alternatives, which would lead to a reduced environmental impact. Rice bran is the hard outer layer of rice, a byproduct of the rice milling process which is pressed for oil and then discarded. Using rice bran as a source of protein reduces waste and increases resource efficiency, making it a strong potential candidate as an alternative protein source to be produced in Thailand, which is the 6th largest rice producer according to the FAO. This product is high in protein (comparable to chicken eggs), which is hydrolyzed to increase bioavailability, and does not contain cholesterol and saturated fat. It is fit for health and fitness enthusiasts, vegetarians, flexitarians and people with an egg allergy.

Anti-corrosion is important for piping systems because corrosion can lead to several problems including reduced flow capacity, leaks and ruptures, contamination, increased maintenance costs and reduced lifespan. While there are several approaches to mitigate these problems, a possible approach is to utilise thermoplastic materials which are lightweight, durable, and resistant to corrosion. This technology is a thermoplastic piping system lined with HDPE/LDPE linings that is corrosion-resistant, do not generate any waste (waste material can be recycled) and has a reduced carbon footprint. The piping system is easy to assemble and install, providing long service lives due to the high-quality thermoplastic materials being deployed in the system. By laying these thermoplastic pipes underground using native soil without sand-bedding, a reduction in CO2 is achieved and offers users a sustainable piping solution against conventional piping materials. In combination with proprietary welding technologies, the technology has the lowest rate of leakages with high guarantee of preservation of drinking water quality when used in water piping systems. The technology owner is seeking for co-development and test-bedding opportunities with asset owners to integrate the technology into their infrastructure, particularly with hydrogen producing and transporting companies.

Manual built environment inspection suffers from multiple issues such as shortage of manpower, human error and miscommunication. To overcome these issues, there is a need for an automated and centralized inspection system capable of detecting multiple defects of interest and presenting the inspection results in an easy to access format. The technology presented uses data acquired from LiDAR and Cameras mounted on an autonomous robot to inspect building interiors and external facades. The system utilizes an AI engine and can accurately detect defects such as cracks, holes, and other built imperfections stated in building quality guidelines such as CONQUAS. Defect reports can be autonomously generated after the acquired image and LiDAR data has been processed by the AI analytics engine. 

Skin rejuvenating products that contain proteins, growth factors, and amino acids are commonly known for its potent anti-aging and skin condition-improving effects. Many exogenous protein and growth factors from placenta extracts have been reported as a potential regenerative medicine to replace or repair damaged cells, tissues, and organs, in which the stimulation of dermal fibroblasts and collagen production have also been found. However, the rejuvenating effects of natural proteins and growth factors on the skin are normally applied either via mesotherapy by using transdermal hypodermic injection or topically along with cosmeceutical aesthetic procedure, resulting in a common cause of pain and the requirement of health professionals for injection.  This solution proposes the incorporation of microspicules, which take the form of micron-sized needles, into skin care product formulations that contain high concentration of natural proteins and growth factors. This can overcome the limitations of conventional approaches and more effectively deliver hydrophilic macromolecular proteins and growth factors, bypassing the layer of stratum corneum, entering into the skin, and leading to skin regeneration. Such self-administered transdermal systems can also improve patient compliance and are generally inexpensive. The technology owner is seeking collaboration opportunities with industry players to increase product innovations in market niches within the cosmeceutical product sphere.

According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), invasive insects cost the global economy around US$ 70 billion each year. Rising temperatures, longer seasons, and changing weather patterns are creating more favourable conditions for insects to thrive in many areas, leading to increased infestations in crops. Traditional pest management methods in food crops, such as frequent spraying of insecticides and repeated inspection, are labour intensive and can have negative environmental impacts. This technology offers a promising solution to these challenges. It simultaneously reduces the particle size of insecticides and modifies their surface properties, which increases foliar uptake by several folds. Once absorbed by leaves, the insecticides are no longer prone to wash off or environmental degradation, resulting in a substantially longer residual treatment effect and a reduction in usage volumes and reapplication frequencies of the insecticides. This technology is designed as a ready-to-use adjuvant that works with commercialised insecticides. Growers can independently and safely nano encapsulate the insecticides with basic mixing equipment and a simple, one-step mixing process.