TECH OFFERS

Indoor vertical farming is pivotal for addressing future food challenges, particularly in arable land-scarce countries. One common method is hydroponics, which uses mineral and nutrient solutions in a water-based platform to grow crops. To optimize the crop yield and to reduce the man work hours required, it is important to automate crop health monitoring and replenishing of specific nutrients. Currently, these tasks are labour-intensive and subjective. While some imaging techniques exist for detecting plant stress and chlorophyll monitoring, a complete system covering all aspects is still lacking. For nutrient analysis, tools like pH and electroconductivity meters can only detect a change in the nutrient composition to start a feedback loop but are unable to determine the specific nutrient component or deficiency level. This technology is a comprehensive quantitative monitoring system integrating imaging spectroscopy and laser-based elemental spectroscopy to quickly identify the crop growth stages, alert crop stresses (tested on several lettuce species) and quantify specific nutrient levels in the nutrient supply. This allows for reduced man work hours and improvement of crop yield. Complete crop health monitoring through combined leaf, root, and nutrient supply monitoring, with automated replenishment Real-time in-situ component wise nutrient monitoring capability with high sensitivity (in ppb levels) enabling automated selective nutrient replenishing Non-invasive and non-contact, no sample preparation required Modular sub-systems allowing for easy integration with existing systems Machine learning capability for improved spectral library creation, enabling rapid and efficient monitoring   Applications validated at lab scale: Automated hydroponic crop monitoring in large indoor agricultural farms Inline, real-time nutrient monitoring of nutrient solutions Other applications tested at experimental POC scale and shown to be more rapid and accurate than existing methods: Real-time water quality monitoring Post-harvest quality determination of crops Trace elemental detection in body fluid   Offers full-spectrum monitrong for both crop health and nutrient supply, covering both leaf and root systems Enables automated, real-time nutrient replenishment with precise, component-wise monitoring at ppb sensitivity levels Features modular subsystems and easy integration with existing setups, supported by specific spectral libraries and machine learning for efficient monitoring and classification   Hydroponics, Nutrient Monitoring, Non-destructive Monitoring, Urban Farming, Indoor Farming, Spectroscopy, Imaging Life Sciences, Agriculture & Aquaculture, Foods, Quality & Safety, Environment, Clean Air & Water, Sensor, Network, Monitoring & Quality Control Systems

Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential for health, yet millions of people worldwide still lack this necessity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 2 billion people globally use drinking water sources contaminated with feces, leading to severe health consequences. Unsafe water, along with inadequate sanitation and hygiene, is estimated to cause 485,000 diarrheal deaths each year. Water purification technologies face significant challenges, especially in decentralized systems lacking the efficiencies of large-scale operations. They often have a substantial carbon footprint due to energy-intensive processes and reliance on chemicals. Existing portable reactors primarily use filtration and struggle to remove recalcitrant pollutants or organic compounds from pharmaceuticals, limiting their effectiveness in producing safe drinking water. Developed by a research tema, this technology effectively addresses the above challenges by employing an electrochemical method that generates strong oxidizing agents to degrade recalcitrant pollutants that conventional portable reactors cannot remove via filtration. By harnessing solar energy, this chemical-free purification approach is not only environmentally friendly but also perfectly suited for deployment in remote areas, developing countries, and disaster-stricken zones where traditional water treatment infrastructure is lacking. The technology owner is looking for collaborations with local SMEs to co-develop scaled systems and deploy it through disaster relief organizations, government agencies and non-profit organizations in selected developing countries. Power Source: Solar-powered, enabling operation in off-grid and remote areas, resulting in reduction of operational costs and ensures continuous, sustainable water purification Electrochemical Reactor: Anode: Mixed Metal Oxide (MMO) anode which generates strong oxidizing agents to degrade certain recalcitrant pollutants Cathode: Activated Carbon, enhancing contaminant removal through absorption and electrochemical processes Chemical-Free Operation: Eliminating the need for chemicals, making it more sustainable, safer and more cost effective Contaminant Removal: Organic Contaminants: The technology can effectively remove organic pollutants, with 65% of an initial 50 ppm phenol concentration being removed within 60 minutes proven in a prototype system. Coliform Reduction: Electrochemical treatment rapidly reduces coliform levels to meet water reuse guidelines of less than 10 CFU/100 mL in just 3 minutes. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD₅): The system is capable of bringing BOD₅ levels within guideline standards in as little as 15 minutes. Water Treatment: Provides clean water in areas without conventional water treatment infrastructure  Humanitarian Aid: Supports disaster relief and NGOs in emergencies like natural disasters and refugee camps. Rural Development: Serves remote and rural areas, especially in developing countries without centralize facilities. Mobile units: Portable purification for troops in harsh or remote environments, ideal for off-grid communities, emergency preparedness and mobile operations needing reliable water purification. Sustainable Power Source: Solar-powered, reducing reliance on external energy sources and ensuring operation in off- grid locations Chemical-Free Operation: utilizes electrochemical methods, environmentally friendly Effective Contaminant Removal: Capable of degrading recalcitrant pollutants and organic compounds Environment, Clean Air & Water, Sanitisation

In the construction sector, manual inspections have traditionally been the primary method for detecting water seepage surface defects, a mandatory requirement for construction projects. However, these inspections often suffer from the inherent subjectivity of human judgment, leading to potential inconsistencies and inaccuracies. To overcome these limitations, a handheld water seepage detection system was developed and rigorously tested in collaboration with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). This innovative system is designed as a portable, intelligent alternative to traditional methods, aiming to enhance the objectivity and reliability of water seepage detection. The system utilizes advanced Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) thermal sensing technology to accurately detect temperature variations indicative of water seepage. Unlike manual inspections, which can be prone to error, this system offers precise differentiation between genuine water seepage defects and common artifacts found on construction sites, such as glue and paint. By minimizing false alarms, it provides a more dependable and efficient approach to identifying and addressing water-related issues. This advancement not only improves the accuracy of inspections but also ensures that potential water damage is detected early, reducing the risk of costly repairs and enhancing the overall integrity of construction projects.     1. The system uses a high-resolution OEM 640 x 512 Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) thermal camera, accurately capturing subtle temperature variations, ideal for detecting water seepage. 2. An integrated HD RGB camera with an Infrared (IR) illuminator enables clear imaging in both normal and low-light conditions. This dual-sensor setup enhances inspection reliability by providing both thermal and visible-light data. 3. The system runs on a 10AH Lithium Polymer (LiPO) battery, offering long-lasting power for extended use. The battery is easily removable, allowing for quick replacement and minimizing downtime during field inspections. 4. Featuring an ARM-based single-board computer with 32GB SSD storage and 8GB DDR RAM, the system provides robust data processing. A 5-inch touch screen offers a user-friendly interface for real-time data management and image viewing. 5. The system includes Application Software with advanced image processing algorithms to enhance detection accuracy by reducing noise and emphasizing temperature contrasts.   The smart imaging-based water seepage detection system is highly effective for detecting water seepage in both completed and under-construction buildings, especially in areas with restricted access. It is particularly valuable for enclosed spaces, such as private residential buildings with hidden plumbing behind false panels, where traditional water tightness tests are less comprehensive due to accessibility limitations. The technology owner is seeking collaboration with companies in the building & construction and environmental services industries. An alternative technology to manual water seepage monitoring. Utilizes advanced LWIR thermal imaging and algorithms to precisely detect true water seepage, minimizing false positives. Enables non-invasive inspections, reducing the need for destructive testing and enhancing worker safety. Greater Efficiency by offering real-time data processing with immediate results, reducing inspection time. Portable design with easily replaceable battery allows for continuous use, optimizing field operations and increase productivity Able to detect water on surfaces of concrete and plastic material at distance of up to 3m. This is extremely helpful when the presence of water is unable to be verified by visual or touch. Equipped with automatic data logging function for future reference and traceability. Building Construction Authority, Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR), Water Seepage Infocomm, Video/Image Processing, Manufacturing, Surface Finishing & Modification, Environment, Clean Air & Water, Sensor, Network, Monitoring & Quality Control Systems

Cooking oil waste has become a significant environmental problem in recent years. Improper disposal of used cooking oil and fried food scraps can lead to pollution of water sources and the release of harmful greenhouse gases. When poured down into drains, it travels through sewage systems to rivers and oceans, disrupting ecosystems, clogging water treatment plant filters, and complicating water purification processes. Additionally, there are higher costs associated with waste disposal in volume-based plastic garbage bags which are also not environmentally friendly. This technology addresses the above pain points by offering a sustainable solution that recycles discarded fried food scraps into high valued biodiesel raw material, preventing water pollution and sewage pipe blockage when discarded without appropriate measures. This innovation addresses a critical market need by providing a greener alternative to conventional disposal methods, reducing waste disposal costs and the production of high valued biodiesel as an end point.  The technology owner is seeking collaborations with companies in the fields of waste management and biodiesel production for test-bedding and research & development projects aimed at recycling fried food scraps into biodiesel. Advanced System Features: It starts with the input of fried food crumbs, where impurities are removed. The material undergoes heat treatment with controlled rotation to optimize the separation process. The mixture is then separated into two main components:  Sludge: used as a raw material for biodegradable plastics, supporting the development of sustainable materials. Crude Waste Cooking Oil: Further refined into biodiesel raw material, offering a renewable alternative to traditional fossil fuel. IT-Driven Collection and Digitalization: It utilizes an IT platform to collect and digitize the supply chain of fried crumbs which enhances the efficiency and traceability throughout the process. Recycling Focus: Emphasizes recycling food waste rather than upcycling, ensuring complete repurposing into new products which maximizes resource recovery by fully converting waste into valuable outputs. This technology has the potential to be applied on these areas, harnessing on its ability and process to convert waste cooking oil into high valued biodiesel. Renewable Energy Sector: The refined waste cooking oil can be used as a raw material for biodiesel, a renewable fuel that can power diesel engines in vehicles, machinery, and generators, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Waste Management and Recycling: Innovative waste management solution for food processing industries, restaurants, and large-scale kitchens, turning waste by-products into valuable resources rather than disposing of them. Agriculture and Animal Feed: The sludge can also be used as a nutrient-rich feedstock for insect farming, supporting the production of sustainable animal feeds. The global biodiesel market was valued at approximately ~USD 43 billion in 2022, with an expected annual growth rate of 5.25%, projected to reach ~USD 65 billion by 2030. Additionally, the market for bio aviation fuel is anticipated to increase by 60 million tons by 2040 (growth of over 20%). This underscores a strong demand for sustainable biofuels. Innovative Raw Material Use: Unlike other companies that primarily use waste cooking oil, this technology utilizes fried food crumbs as the main raw material, allowing a more versatile input stream, tapping into an underutilized waste source. Superior Additive Development: Significant advancements in additive development have resulted in a 50% increase in overall yield, making their process 2.5 times more effective than competitors. Furthermore, the enhancement in acid value indicates a superior quality of biodiesel raw material, which translates to improved efficiency and performance. biodiesel, carbon neutral, recycling, cooked oil, waste reduction Sustainability, Circular Economy

Maintaining clean air on ships is crucial for the health and well-being of passengers and crew, as well as for the proper functioning of sensitive equipment. Due to the structural specificity of ships and higher reliance on mechanical air conditioning than natural ventilation, addressing indoor air quality issues is particularly important. Advanced air purification solutions would be able to effectively address a range of airborne contaminants, including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and biological pollutants, ensuring a safer and more pleasant environment on board. A Korean startup has developed an air sterilisation and purification system tailored specifically to the challenges of maritime environments that excels in delivering clean, safe, and compliant air quality solutions. They enhance health and safety, optimise operational efficiency, and contribute to a better overall experience for passengers and crew, while also meeting regulatory requirements and supporting environmental sustainability. The company is seeking collaborators from the maritime and built environment sectors, as well as HVAC and IoT companies, to expand their applications and explore integration of their technologies into existing HVAC systems. The technology consists of the following key features: A seamless three-step purification and sterilisation process using UV-C lamp, carbon filter, and HEPA filter Engineered housing design that increases air’s retention time, providing a wider and denser air distribution compared to a stand-type air purifier Utilises UV-C rays at a wavelength of 254 nm, ideal for disrupting the DNA and RNA of bacteria, without generating ozone Strong sterilisation capability through uniform dispersion of UV-C rays and a direct contact sterilisation method to maximise the effectiveness, achieving up to 99.8% removal of airborne viruses and bacteria Double filters remove up to 96.3% of major hazardous substance, including ammonia, acetic acid, acetaldehyde, toluene and formaldehyde  Can be retrofitted to existing diffusers The solutions have been successfully implemented on various types of ships and can also be applied to buildings, healthcare facilities or public areas on land where large gatherings occur. Potential applications include, but not limited to, the following: At sea: Ships (Existing / New) On land:  Healthcare facilities Educational facilities Commercial real estate Residential real estate Tailored for effective operations under the unique conditions found at sea Engineered housing design for enhanced air distribution and extended exposure time, allowing more thorough sterilisation of airborne particles  Enhanced health and safety contributing to the well-being and safety of passengers and crew Optimised operational efficiency leading to cost savings and improved reliability of critical ship systems Enhanced passenger experience by providing a more comfortable and pleasant on board environment Environment, Clean Air & Water, Sanitisation, Mechanical Systems, Sustainability, Sustainable Living

Plastic recycling plays a crucial role in achieving a sustainable future. Proper sorting of waste plastics is essential, especially in mixed waste streams where various materials are combined. Some types of plastic are not recyclable, and even recyclable ones can be difficult to separate efficiently. Sorting mixed waste streams into different recyclable categories can be time-consuming and labour-intensive, especially for materials with similar appearances, such as different types of plastic. To address these challenges, this technology aims to automate and accurately sort plastic waste, reducing the reliance on manual processing and improving overall plastic recycling efficiency. The technology on offer is a patented artificial intelligence (AI) based material sorting robot that sorts plastic waste accurately. Comprising of a camera, recognition unit and analysis unit, each unit of this system can continuously identify and sort waste plastics and generate information in real time. Blower vacuum adsorption devices are placed within each unit to pick waste in a speedy and accurate manner. This technology effectively reduces the issue of labour shortage in the waste sector, lowers operating costs and contamination rates that hinders recycling efforts. Currently, the technology has been deployed successfully in South Korea to sort polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). The technology owner is interested to work with Singapore waste collection companies on joint development projects to testbed this technology and improve plastic recycling rates. This technology comprises of the following hardware and software components: Camera unit – for real time monitoring Recognition unit – for real time item detection and data collection Analysis unit – for analysis of the type, colour, contamination level, and presence or absence of lids and labels Conversion unit – for item selection and sorting AI-enabled dashboard Key features of this AI-enabled material robot include: Sort rate of 96 pieces per minute 99.3% accuracy 7 types of waste This technology has been validated for plastic waste sorting (PET, PE and PP) and can be expanded into sorting of other types of wastes such as paper, plastic vinyl films, aluminium, iron and textiles. Other potential applications include construction and marine waste. High recognition and sorting accuracy Improves waste sorting efficiency by 240% in terms of speed and 126% in terms of operation time Cost-effective solution for resource efficiency (279% reduction in sorting costs) artificial intelligence, AI, robot, waste, plastic recycling, sorting, smart city, waste management, automation, environment, recycling, resource recycling, circular economy, sustainability Infocomm, Artificial Intelligence, Waste Management & Recycling, Industrial Waste Management, Automation & Productivity Enhancement Systems, Sustainability, Circular Economy

Pollution in oceans and rivers is a global concern due to contaminants like oil spills and microplastics, which harm biodiversity. In response to marine pollutions, extensive human and technological resources are typically deployed to mitigate the situation, this includes absorbent, oil skimmer machineries, drones or vessels depending on the complexity of required clean-ups, resulting it being costly and time consuming. Designed and developed by a Korea-based startup, the technology proposed herein is a robot deployed onto the water surface to efficiently recovers pollutants autonomously with minimum human intervention. Unlike conventional pollution recovery equipment that uses additional devices connected by hoses, the robot combines the recovery of pollutant, transportation and storage of pollutants into a single robot device that can travel up to 1000 m range. The robot is equipped with a proprietary hydrophilic ratchet-based contaminant recovery technology, which generates a flow that sucks water through the movement of a hydrophilic material and controls the attachment and detachment of contaminants on the surface of the material by capillary force. This proprietary recover technology enables the robot to recover bunker fuel spills including high viscosity low sulfur fuel oil (LSFO), low viscosity heavy fuel oil (HFO), diesel, as well as microplastics in an efficient manner. The technology owner is seeking to collaborate with companies that provides marine pollution control/recycling service and government agencies to conduct a pilot trial in Singapore, with an option to further co-develop and integrate technologies that enhances the capabilities of the robot, such as identification of marine pollutants. Two solutions were offered: Oil skimming robot: 100 kg remote controlled robot of up to 1000 m operating range. About 1.0 ton of recovered oil/contaminant storage tank and process up to 26.6 kL/h. Capable of unmanned/autonomous/remote operation with minimum supervision. Field demonstration performed in river, harbour, and open sea in Asia and Middle East. Ocean cleaner robot: 45 kg remote controlled robot of up to 1000 m operating range. About 0.2 ton of contaminant storage tank and process up to 2 ton/h. Both solutions work in tandem with an air drone that pins a GPS location where pollutants are found. The information is then relayed to the robot for its autonomous navigation to its target location for its operation. The robots can be deployed for floating pollutants recovery from the surface of the water, such as rivers, beams, dams, and oceans. Pollutants that can be recovered include high viscosity low sulfur fuel oil (LSFO), low viscosity heavy fuel oil (HFO), diesel, microplastics of 0.001-5 mm, etc. A ratchet-shaped material that enhances the effect of attracting water to hydrophilic porous materials to optimise the recovery of marine pollutants in an autonomous robot. Marine Waste Management, Marine Pollutants, Marine Pollutant Recovery Robot Environment, Clean Air & Water, Mechanical Systems

This technology provides simple, practical, and reliable IoT solutions designed for seamless integration and easy deployment across various industries, including Facility Management, Smart Cities, Asset Tracking, and Digital Healthcare. The solutions are designed for high reliability and low total cost of ownership, featuring easy deployment that requires minimal technical expertise. The technology is built with a carrier-grade design approach, ensuring robust performance and exceptional system longevity. It supports extensive scalability and security features, making it ideal for both public and private network operators. The flexible architecture allows for integration with existing digital infrastructures, facilitating improved operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making, and driving forward the digital transformation agenda This offering is particularly suitable for enterprises seeking to implement smart technologies in utilities, facility management, healthcare systems, and industrial IoT environments. The technology consists of IoT gateways and sensors leveraging LoRaWAN technology, known for its low power consumption and long-range connectivity advantages. The system features include Carrier-Grade design, advanced data analytics, and extensive scalability. It is secured with strong protocols, ensuring data integrity and privacy. Ideal collaboration partners are telecommunications operators, urban planners for smart city initiatives, healthcare institutions advancing in digital solutions, and enterprises looking to deploy their own private IoT networks. These partners will gain from the technology’s low-power, long-range capabilities, allowing them to deploy low-maintenance solutions over large areas. This IoT technology, utilizing LoRaWAN’s capabilities, is versatile enough for deployment across multiple sectors. Key industries include: Smart Cities: Enhancing urban infrastructure through applications like smart utilities, traffic management, environmental monitoring, and public safety systems. Facility Management: Optimizing operations in commercial and residential buildings through energy management, predictive maintenance, property protection (ie. leak monitoring) and security systems. Healthcare: Deploying digital healthcare solutions such as remote patient monitoring, medical asset tracking and environment monitoring Utilities: Facilitating smart grid technologies, water management solutions, and utility usage monitoring to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs. Agriculture: Supporting precision agriculture techniques with soil monitoring, crop health tracking, and automated irrigation systems. The technology owner is seeking collaboration with deep-tech companies specializing in AI development for IoT applications to elevate the value of our solutions. Specifically, we aim to partner with experts in on-device or edge AI for low-power operations, focusing on areas like anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and sensor data analysis. Additionally, we are looking for partners with expertise in cloud-based AI to enhance our data processing, model training, and analytics capabilities. The technology owner is focused on expanding into new markets, particularly in the ASEAN region, and is seeking local collaborators with strong R&D capabilities, deep market knowledge, and a proven track record of success. By working together, we aim to tailor solutions that meet the specific needs of these markets, driving innovation and ensuring a competitive edge. This technology significantly advances the state-of-the-art in IoT solutions through its use of LoRaWAN technology, which provides unique benefits over traditional IoT systems: Extended Range and Penetration: Unlike conventional Wi-Fi or cellular-based IoT systems, LoRaWAN offers a far reaching signal that can penetrate dense urban infrastructures and reach rural areas without requiring extensive power or infrastructure, making it ideal for wide-area IoT applications. Low Power Consumption: The technology is designed for minimal energy use, enabling devices to operate for years on a single battery charge. This is a critical advantage for IoT applications where frequent battery changes are impractical, such as in environmental sensors or remote locations. High Network Capacity: It supports thousands of nodes over a single network without significant loss of performance, catering to the growing demands of urban developments and large-scale industrial deployments. Cost-Effectiveness: The setup and operational costs are significantly lower than those of traditional cellular networks, providing a more affordable solution for businesses and municipalities looking to implement IoT solutions. IoT, IIoT, Wireless Technology, Facility Management, Assest Tracking, Smart Buildings, Smart Cities, Digital Medicine, Digital Healthcare Green Building, Sensor, Network, Building Control & Optimisation, Indoor Environment Quality, Infocomm, Internet of Things, Smart Cities, Logistics, Inventory Management

Strongly corrosive acids and highly toxic cyanide-based solutions are currently the most commonly used lixiviants for extraction of silver from solid wastes through hydrometallurgy. While acids are generally able to achieve high extraction of silver, it is non-selective and leaches most of the other metals present, resulting in a complex mixture that needs rigorous segregation and purification downstream. Cyanide solutions are comparatively more selective towards silver but require costly safety infrastructure and measures to be put in place as they generate large amount of hazardous wastes.          The lixiviant developed offers a more user and environmentally friendly means to efficiently extract silver selectively from silver-coated solid waste. The formulation is free of cyanide and omits the use of any strong acids, making it relatively easy to handle and eliminates the safety, health and environmental problems associated with the use and post-treatment of conventional lixiviants, as the waste stream is mildly acidic and can be easily treated as normal acid waste. The raw chemical materials are also easily available in the market. The technology provider is seeking industry partners to test-bed the lixiviant and is open to license the technology to interested partners. Free of cyanide Contains low concentrations of organic acids and no strong acids Non-fuming and extracts under mild temperatures ≤ 40°C Contains stabilisers to reduce reagent consumption Allows high purity silver to be recovered from the leachate by conventional means such as precipitation & reduction ≥97 wt.% of silver extracted with saturation concentration of >10 g/L at 40°C Extraction is fairly selective, with silver constituting a major 85 – 98% of the metals leached This technology can be applied for extraction of silver from: Electronic wastes, such as printed circuit boards, connectors, lead frames etc. Industrial wastes, such as photographic films, solar panel wafer etc.  Recovered silver can be sold or recycled for other uses. Silver is widely used in the manufacture of numerous products such as electrical and electronic devices, photovoltaics (PV) modules, solders, photographic films and jewelleries. The demand for silver is forecasted to grow with its use in 5G-infrastructure and upcoming intelligent electronics, as well as in PV modules as more countries adopt renewable energy to counter climate change.     To meet the increasing demand for silver, recycling from secondary sources such as electronics and industrial wastes is essential. Increasing regulations put up worldwide that mandate the recycling of electronic wastes, accounts for the bulk of secondary sources of silver. Hydrometallurgy offers a way to recycle silver at a relatively low cost and smaller scale. With the employment of an effective lixiviant that is able to achieve high and selective extraction of silver from these secondary sources, it ensures that the most value is drawn from them. Additionally, the omission of strong acids and cyanide in the lixiviant eliminate the need for costly safety infrastructure and treatment of toxic waste streams generated.  Lixiviant can be directly employed in existing operating line Works under mild operating conditions Does not generate highly toxic waste streams Recovered silver in high purity Silver-Coated Solid Wastes Chemicals, Organic, Waste Management & Recycling, Industrial Waste Management