More durable dental implants, cheaper fuel cells with launch of industry research lab at NTU

Patients getting dental implants here could soon enjoy shorter recovery times and a reduced risk of infections thanks to advanced coatings being developed here.

These carbon-based nanocomposite coatings – referring to a mixture of different materials with dimensions in the range of nanometres, a thousand times smaller than a human hair – will make implants more durable and improve tissue integration.

The coating bonds strongly to the titanium surface of implants, strengthening them, and also allows for the inclusion of materials such as phosphate and magnesium, which promote healing.

This is part of a partnership between Nanyang Technological University (NTU), nanotechnology firm Nanofilm Technologies International (NTI) and the National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS).

The novel technology has antimicrobial properties, which reduce the risk of losing dental implants due to infection, said Clinical Associate Professor Goh Bee Tin, NDCS chief executive officer.

This could reduce the need to replace implants, thus resulting in cost savings for patients, Prof Goh said.

While more studies are needed, the technology could be more widely available within the next five years, she added.

The agreement was signed in conjunction with the official opening of the $66 million NTI-NTU Corporate Laboratory held on April 20.

The three-storey, 1,800 sq m lab is sited in NTU and equipped with NTI Nanofilm’s industrial-scale coating systems. It brings together more than 60 researchers and PhD candidates working to validate and scale nanotechnology solutions for real-world industry use.

NTI Nanofilm is a Singapore-based global nanotechnology solutions company founded in 1999.

The new lab focuses on four areas – semiconductors, healthcare, renewable energy and nano-fabrication – which NTI executive chairman Shi Xu described as the “highest-growth, highest-impact industries of our time”.

As part of its renewable energy efforts, the lab is also working to develop cheaper and more durable components for hydrogen electrolysers and fuel cells.

NTU vice-president for industry Lam Khin Yong noted that nanocoatings are among the most commercially successful applications of nanotechnology, with global demand for high-performance coatings projected to exceed $20 billion by 2030.

The lab has made “meaningful and significant progress”, with seven technology disclosure applications filed within a span of two years, said Prof Lam.

These applications are internal reports submitted to NTU and NTI for evaluation of commercialisation potential. This is the first step in getting intellectual property protection.

Founded as a research programme in 2023, the NTI-NTU Corporate Laboratory is now fully operational, with industrial systems and advanced research platforms, Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science and Technology Tan See Leng said at the event.

The lab will help strengthen the Republic’s position in high-growth segments and create more opportunities for Singaporeans, he said.

“Such partnerships must continue – to ensure that research breakthroughs translate into market-ready solutions that generate economic value,” said Dr Tan, who is also Manpower Minister.

The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction.