1st TECS Grant Call Recipients

Proof-Of-Concept Projects

1. Antnano Biomedical Pte Ltd
2. Biochip Devises Pte Ltd
3. Fetal Genetix Pte Ltd
4. Mentarix Pte Ltd
5. NanoBright Technologies Pte Ltd
6. Neosci International Pte Ltd
7. NeoVac Pte Ltd
8. Rockeby Biomed (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Proof-Of-Value Projects

9. Agro Genesis Pte Ltd
10. Autium Pte Ltd
11. BioBot Surgical Pte Ltd
12. Cal-Comp Technology Pte Ltd
13. Helios Applied Systems Pte Ltd
14. International Advanced Bio-Pharmaceutical Industries Pte Ltd
15. Jitcomm Networks Pte Ltd
16. Rockeby Biomed (Singapore) Pte Ltd
17. SGN Pte Ltd

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Proof-Of-Concept Projects

1. Antnano Biomedical Pte Ltd

Miniaturised Real-Time, Ultra-Sensitive Monitors for Airborne Biological Molecules Current methods are unable to sensitively detect hazardous airborne substances on a real-time basis for extended periods. Antnano plans to develop a system that will extend the life of disposable and highly-sensitive air sensors for the near-real-time detection of biological analytes. This system would be able to warn of toxic by-products in biochemical manufacturing plants, or of harmful biological agents. Website : www.antnano.com

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2. Biochip Devises Pte Ltd

Integrated Rapid Avian Influenza Diagnostic Device The current WHO-recommended method of diagnosis, RT-PCR, takes 6-8 hours and requires a laboratory. Biochip Devises aims to develop a portable integrated device that would automate the RT-PCR detection of H5N1 in 10 minutes, allowing for accurate field testing, as well as mass screening at commuter bottlenecks such as immigration checkpoints and hospitals. Website : biochipdevises.com.sg

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3. Fetal Genetix Pte Ltd

Non-Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis of Alpha-Thalassaemia Using Fetal DNA from Maternal Plasma Current prenatal tests for alpha-thalessaemia, a prevalent genetic condition in South-East Asia, are both invasive and carry a 1-4% risk of abortion. Fetal Genetix aims to develop a non-invasive prenatal test for Haemoglobin Bart's, the most severe type of α-thalessaemia. This would require just a sample of the mother’s blood and avoid the risk of fetal loss. Website : www.fetalgenetix.com

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4. Mentarix Pte Ltd

Florescence Spectra Converter for Photovoltaic Efficiency Enhancement Application Mentarix will be demonstrating the functional performance of a Spectra Converter that increases the efficiency of solar cells by utilizing quantum dot nano-particle and photonics technology to modify the sun's light spectrum to match the solar cell spectra profile. With the successful completion of POC followed by POV, Mentarix will announce a series of components designed to be retrofitted on existing solar panels or integrated into current solar panel assembly processes. Website : www.mentarix.com

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5. NanoBright Technologies Pte Ltd

Enhancement of Solar Cell Performance by Employing Down-Conversion Nano-Phosphors Similarly addressing the issue of low solar cell efficiency due to Spectra mismatch, NanoBright will develop and apply UV-to-visible down-conversion fluorescent nano-materials to photovoltaic cells. These materials can be applied to most existing solar cells and will convert a portion of the light spectrum that is currently un-usable into usable light energy. The successful completion of the project will be a step towards the promise of clean, commercially-viable solar energy. Website : www.nanobright.com.sg

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6. Neosci International Pte Ltd

Intra-Nasal Cerebral Cooling for Brain Preservation Following a stroke, the only neuroprotective mechanism known today is cerebral hypothermia, to literally cool the brain. NeoSci’s goal is to produce a portable, battery-driven cooling system which will selectively cool the brain down by reducing the temperature in the nasal cavity. Its success will allow medical first responders to induce moderate cerebral hypothermia in stroke victims and potentially improve patient outcome. Website : www.neoscint.com

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7. NeoVac Pte Ltd

Predictive Platform for Design, Development & Delivery of Immunotherapeutics & Immunoprophylactics At present the design of vaccines is a laborious process and no ‘silver bullet’ exists for the creation of vaccines for many diseases. NeoVac plans to test a triple system platform which could take suitable biological sequences and better immune stimulation for translation into more effective vaccines. If successful, this represents a step towards a platform capable of designing and producing personalised treatments and vaccines for a range of diseases. Website : www.neovac.sg

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8. Rockeby Biomed (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Magnetic Detection for Rapid & Sensitive Lateral Flow Tests Current avian influenza field tests, while operable by lowly-trained field personnel, lack the sensitivity of expensive laboratory tests such as RT-PCR. Rockeby Biomed aims to demonstrate the combination of Magnisense SARL’s superparamagnetic bead (MB) detection with antibodies for the rapid and sensitive diagnosis of Influenza A. This holds the promise of field tests with sensitivity close to that of RT-PCR which would boost the success of Avian Influenza containment, and control the global threat of the disease. Website : www.rockeby.com

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Proof-Of-Value Projects

9. Agro Genesis Pte Ltd

Micro Suspension Technology Micro Suspension Technology uses renewable and abundant sources such as animal bone to produce insoluble yet highly bioavailable phosphate and calcium-containing liquid fertilizers, enhancing the Fertilizer Use Efficiency of plants while offering an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers. In addition, it avoids the need for expensive mining of non-renewable phosphate rock, already known to be depleting. This technology will reduce the fertilizer cost to farmers while being environmentally friendly. Website : www.agro-genesis.com

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10. Autium Pte Ltd

Autium Fusion Metals for Technical Application in Watches Through proprietary Vacuum Diffusion Bonding technology, Autium has produced a series of fusion metals. These fusion metals retain each metal's individual characteristics, allowing the advantages of both elements to be captured in the same piece. Autium aims to prototype and supply watchmakers with watch movement parts crafted from fusion metals which will lead to such improvements as lighter gear systems, cost and energy efficiency gains, and improved aesthetics, among others. Leading high-end swiss watchmakers have already expressed interest. Website : www.autium.sg

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11. BioBot Surgical Pte Ltd

Bioxbot -- A Biopsy Robot for Early Detection of Prostate Cancer Prostate biopsies remain the only means of histological confirmation of Prostate Cancer but the positive detection rate has not been encouraging. Biobot has developed early prototypes of a robotic device that performs precise prostate biopsy while minimizing the risk of potential injuries. Continuing their development of the prototypes, the device will be the first automated prostate biopsy robot in the world capable of early detection and hence, lead to better management of the disease.

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12. Cal-Comp Technology Pte Ltd

Novel Voice Coil Motor At present, a small percentage of Hard Disk Drives (HDD) malfunction within the first 12 months due to the generation of destructive hard magnetic particles from the surface of the mechanical components. Calcomp has developed a patented methodology of protecting the surface of Hard Disk Drives’ mechanical components with a 10 fold improvement over conventional methods. Its promise of Hard Disk lifespan extension and reduced costs stemming from a simple manufacturing process make this technology highly useful in the HDD mechanical component industry.

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13. Helios Applied Systems Pte Ltd

Sub-Micron 3D Rapid Prototyping Laser System Only 2-photon lithography systems are capable of fabricating 3D features at the sub-micron level but are too slow for market viability. Helios will develop the first known tool based on 2-photon lithography capable of writing high resolution sub-micron 3D features in a single scan at least 100 times faster than any other known system. This tool will be able to fabricate photo masks, plastic MEMS devices, as well as tissue engineering scaffolds, and will also reduce the number of tools required for cutting-edge research, and help companies develop novel devices that could not previously be fabricated with existing technologies. Website : www.heliosappliedsys.com

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14. International Advanced Bio-Pharmaceutical Industries Pte Ltd

Development of Critical Environment Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) Label Materials Environmental issues and increasing energy costs have led to a decline in the use of solvent-based Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSA) in products such as medicinal patches or “koyok”. IABPI aims to harness the emerging technology of UV acrylic PSA technology by employing an optimal manufacturing process, which if successful, will allow IABPI to produce low cost, environmentally-compliant, non-toxic and high performance PSAs. Website : www.iabpi.com

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15. Jitcomm Networks Pte Ltd

Universal Network Acceleration Chip Jitcomm aims to develop the world’s first chip-based high-performance network acceleration solution. This will significantly improve wide area network (WAN) performance, while keeping the cost as well as application response time to a minimum. With the high volume of data and bandwidth usage, Jitcomm’s chip will be especially useful for IT enterprises, where it will help cut back on the need to lease an increasing number of dedicated lines. Website : www.jitcomm.com

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16. Rockeby Biomed (Singapore) Pte Ltd

A Rapid & Sensitive Test for the Field Diagnosis of Influenza A Including Avian Influenza At present, lateral flow tests are the only avian influenza field tests that lowly-trained field personnel can use, but lack the sensitivity of expensive laboratory tests. Rockeby Biomed believes that the best combination of speed-to-market, cost effectiveness and increase in sensitivity of these tests can be obtained through the use of fluorescence, with prior work showing a 50-fold increase in sensitivity. Their development of the first low-cost, lateral flow fluorescent test would provide low resource countries with the ability to respond quickly and contain the disease. Website : www.rockeby.com

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17. SGN Pte Ltd

Loop-PEG Patients who are unable to swallow are typically fitted with a nasogastric tube or a PEG tube, which requires a puncture of the abdomen. The former is very uncomfortable, while the latter is associated with risks of infection and death if disconnected from the patient accidentally. SGN will develop and produce a simple yet novel PEG tube which effectively prevents injuries from accidental disconnection, and can be changed easily and safely by any caregiver at home. As the majority of patients requiring such tubes are the elderly, the loop-PEG will lessen the burden of care for the ageing population of Singapore.

Download the citation slides of all 17 recipients’ projects.