PhD x Business: Where Innovation Meets Oppurtunity

🎓 What to Expect:

You’ll hear from six exceptional researchers from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), each presenting their cutting-edge research with clear applications in the tech, sustainability, and manufacturing sectors.

🧠 Featured Projects:

1. 🔹 Dr. Cheng Weixia

Revolutionizing Construction: Precision Detection of Steel Reinforcement in Concrete Using Advanced Radar Imaging Discover how ground-penetrating radar arrays can accurately characterize rebar size and placement in concrete structures — transforming infrastructure assessment, construction safety, and cost-efficiency. This technology offers major potential for civil engineering firms, real estate developers, and smart construction ventures aiming to reduce risk, optimize maintenance, and ensure structural integrity with non-invasive, real-time analysis.

2. 🔹 Ms. He Linwei and Dr. Gong Lingyan

Smarter Cell Manufacturing: Leveraging Impedance for Real-Time Process Optimization Discover how electrical impedance biosensors are set to transform cell manufacturing by enabling real-time process analytics that enhance product quality, boost yield, and lower production costs in bioreactor-based cell cultures. This innovative technology is particularly impactful in the advancing fields of regenerative medicine and cell therapy, paving the way for next-generation, continuous cell manufacturing.

3. 🔹 Dr. Hortense Le Ferrand

Next-Level Manufacturing: Continuous 3D Printing of High-Performance Microstructured Composites

Step into the future of additive manufacturing with a breakthrough in continuous 3D printing of microstructured composites. This enables faster production of lightweight, durable, and customizable materials for aerospace, automotive, medtech, and consumer electronics. Ideal for investors and companies seeking scalable, sustainable, and high-value manufacturing solutions with a competitive advantage.

4. 🔹 Dr. Liling Zhang

Agritech - RetenSol-G: Redefining Irrigation

Healing the earth starts from healing our soils. RetenSol-G is a patented eco-friendly liquid formulation comprising microgels to improve soil penetration, wettability, water retention and release. Made with plant waste materials, the microgels of RetenSol-G modulate the effects of unpredictable rainfall and seasonal droughts by extending water availability to plants when soil moisture is low. This increases planting options and mitigate negative effects of climate change, and alleviates the challenges of crop growers and producers who need to maintain yields and harvest from less arable, dry soils. With no requirements for soil churn, RetenSol-G is simple to apply and suitable for both fresh planting and mature plants, and is broadly applicable in horti/agriculture and anti-desertification efforts.

5. 🔹 Dr. Dang Thuy Tram

Helthtech - Injection-Free Diabetes Management: FormaCyte Cellular Implants That Transform Patient Care

Discovering FormaCyte’s innovative cellular implant that can naturally and sustainably release insulin in response to the body’s needs after implantation, removing the need for daily injections. By protecting insulin-producing cells with a biomaterial encapsulation, the device also eliminates the need for anti-rejection drugs. This approach could offer diabetic patients a safer, more effective way to manage their blood sugar, while also reducing the long-term burden of care. It represents a promising opportunity for partners, including healthcare-focused investors, biopharmas, and biotech companies, looking to bring patient-friendly, next-generation diabetes solutions to market.

6. 🔹 Dr. Perrine Hamel

AI meets ESG: Supporting businesses in their nature-positive transition

Driving Nature-Positive Business: Intelligent Tools for Sustainable Impact Explore how cutting-edge AI solutions can accelerate businesses' transition toward nature-positive strategies, optimizing biodiversity conservation, resource management, and ESG reporting. By harnessing real-time data analytics, predictive modeling, and smart monitoring, this innovation empowers companies to reduce environmental risks, enhance regulatory compliance, and unlock new value through sustainability leadership. Ideal for corporates, investors, and ESG strategists aiming to future-proof operations and drive measurable ecological impact.

🗣️ Agenda:

• 7:00 PM – Welcome remarks by La French Tech Singapore & NTU

• 7:15 - PM PhD Pitch Session

• 8:30 PM – Networking Reception

👥 Who Should Attend:

• Investors & VCs

• Innovation & R&D Leaders

• Startup Founders & Ecosystem Builders

• Tech Enthusiasts looking to stay ahead

📍 Location:

• SG Innovate

• 32 Carpenter St, Singapore 059911

📅 Date & Time:

• Thursday, 5 June 2025

• 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

🎟️ Free registration is required – limited seats are available!