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Revolutionary malleable 3D spacer fabric composite attracts USD4M from strategic investors in the industries

The malleable 3D spacer fabric.

The TRUST-U Program initiated by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) has been encouraging academia to commercialize their research results and turn them into solid profits. One of its research teams, “Development of Smart 3D Spacer Fabric Composite”, led by Professor Syang-Peng Rwei at National Taipei University of Technology, has been successfully funded USD four million dollars by Mechema Chemicals International Corp., T&T Industries Corporation, and Taipei Tech Development Inc.

With these investments, the team successfully set up their company, “Taipei Smart Materials (TSM)” to develop the light, breathable, and malleable composite products that have a bright outlook in the markets of medical equipment. TSM’s innovative techniques and materials are believed to replace current medical plaster and metal braces which are heavier and more expensive. Substantially empowered at its beginning phase, now TSM is ambitiously targeting the global market worthy of nearly USD three billion dollars.

Since 2013, Professor Rwei and his team have been receiving research grants from the MOST that generate a significant progress in fabric coating technologies. In 2016, the team was recruited by the MOST to expedite the commercialization of its research outcomes. Holding the techniques that are exclusive and almost ready for the markets, the team successfully attracted investments from the enterprises in the related industries.

Professor Rwei pointed out that the incumbent one-time use plaster and braces are heavy and stifling. TSM’s new 3-D spacer fabric applied to the medical braces is not only cheaper, lighter, and ventilatory, and is reshapable under low-temperature heating. It could be a better option for the patients considering its mobility and cost.

MOST press conference

“We want to revitalize the startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem in academia through the TRUST-U program, as well as setting role models,” said Liang-gee Chen, Minister of Science and Technology. “We have been implementing the program for nearly two years, and are more than pleased to see many universities have gradually developed relevant rules for academic startups, resulting in a handful of successful cases which attracted investment from private sectors. The MOST shall keep encouraging these academic research teams to look beyond their labs and commercialize their products or service that cater to the actual needs of society.”

*This article is provided by the Department of Academia-Industry Collaboration and Science Park Affairs, MOST.

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