This technology offer is a software tool that can be used to assess the level of attentiveness of a user during online engagements, such as during an online meeting, or an online lesson. The software tool is run in the background when a user launches an online meeting platform. The software tool consists of a server software and a client software, and realises three functions, namely, user attentiveness measurement, background audio noise estimation, and automated video editing with video segment output. Multiple client software can be used with a single server software at the same time. The server software handles incoming data from the clients and displays their status on a web-based dashboard. After a meeting ends, the client software will automatically output a video clip showing segments where the user has the highest level of attentiveness. This video clip can be used for further downstream analytics by the user or by the meeting/lesson organiser. The software tool can be used together with online meeting platforms. The prototype source code is available for demonstration purposes.  

Thermoelectric technology enables direct energy conversion from heat into electricity and has attracted much attention as a renewable energy solution. However, conventional thermoelectric devices have complicated structures, restrictive shapes (planar only) and high temperature gradient requirements (ΔT>200oC), which makes them inefficient and difficult to scale-up for implementation. This technology offer is an innovative low temperature gradient, tubular thermoelectric generator which solves the above-mentioned problems by using a phenomenon called the transverse thermoelectric effect. This effect makes it possible to control heat flow and electric current independently in the materials, which gives the generator a higher efficiency at low temperature gradients. The thermoelectric generator has a simple tubular structure without complicated electric junctions seen in planar substrates, hence allowing it to be fitted easily onto pipes carrying exhaust heat.

In arid environments, water-holding sheets are required to contain sufficient water for agricultural growth. However, one downside to the use of such sheets is the lack of gaseous permeability that could hamper the growth of plants. This technology can resolve such issues by means of coated sand particles that repels water. Originally developed as a hydrophobic coating for silica-based materials in home appliances, this technology offer is a water-repellent material that has been adapted to thinly coat sand (i.e. silica) particles to address the problems for agricultural purposes in dry areas such as deserts. With this technology, water-repellent particles can be obtained and used to lay on the ground as a sand layer. Due to the difference in surface tension, water does not permeate through the sand layers and can accumulate above the sand layers, serving as an aquifer when used in arid conditions. This technology also allows air to permeate between the gaps of these water-repellent particles simultaneously, ensuring optimal conditions for plant growth. The water-repellent material can also be extended for use in desalination systems as the desalting layer, allowing vapored water to be collected while separating saltwater. It may also be used as a foundation layer in road or pavement construction to mitigate urban heat-island effect by increasing water-holding capacity.

Arsenic is a toxic metal that has long polluted water bodies, posing potential human and aquatic health concerns even when present in low concentrations. Prolonged consumption of arsenic-contaminated groundwater can cause cancer and other health diseases. In groundwater, arsenic is typically present in two forms – trivalent and pentavalent where the latter is less toxic and easier to remove through conventional processes such as coprecipitation, adsorption etc. Conversion of trivalent arsenic to pentavalent arsenic can be done with a photocatalyst i.e., when photocatalyst is irradiated by UV light, OH radicals are generated by which trivalent arsenic will be oxidized into pentavalent arsenic.This technology offer is a new structure of photocatalytic particle with improved activity and reusability which is especially useful to effectively treat trivalent arsenic polluted water. The photocatalyst particle of this technology offer consists of zeolite particles and titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles coated thereon. This structure enables the TiO2 particle to possess a larger surface-area to volume-ratio than conventional particulate TiO2. By applying the photocatalytic particles to polluted water treatment, it can enhance the efficiency of detoxification of trivalent arsenic. Furthermore, since the new photocatalyst particles are of micrometers size, the photocatalysts can be separated by sedimentation from the post-treated water and can be collected to be reused. Throughput of water treatment is thoroughly enhanced by this photocatalyst by 50 times in the case of arsenic pollutants and by 100 times in the case of persistent organic materials.

A spent hen is a commercial layer chicken that has over peaked its optimal egg-laying potential. When hens reached the end of their economically viable life, they are usually converted into meat products. However, the meat has a high amounts of heat-stable collagen content, leading to a tough texture, and high insoluble protein and tissues that are difficult to process by conventional heat treatment. The company is keen to explore different technological solutions that can tenderise the meat, with minimal nutrient loss and a short production time of less than 1 hour.

As well as creating new well-being snacks, we also focus on improving the nutrition and ingredients of the global brands and local jewels already in our broad portfolio. In essence, this is about reducing or removing what people don’t want and adding more of what they do. Snacking has always had a role in people’s lives, but that role is expanding and evolving as they become busier than ever (at home or on the go), as the definition of snacking continues to expand, and as people become more conscious of the overall well-being of self and planet. Moreover, people increasingly want to feel good about the snacks they eat – knowing that they not only taste delicious but also mindful of the implications to mind, body, and planet. We want to help consumers easily enjoy the right snacks throughout their day and inspire them to snack mindfully so they can savor and feel good about each and every snack. As a part of this effort, we are always looking for ingredient solutions that consumers expect, understand and are familiar with; that are authentic, natural and minimally processed; and are free from additives or preservatives.

Good agricultural practices form part of the armoury against pests and diseases which reduce yield losses by promoting healthy crop growth and improved tolerance of stress including attack from pest and diseases. For example, optimising the soil microbiome has been shown to increase the nitrogen fixing capability of microbes found in the root system of some crop species. There are also other natural approaches currently available that can successfully control diseases and pests. For example, endophytic Trichoderma martiale strain ALF 247 is used to control black-pod rot in cocoa, although in many cases further development is required to provide economically viable methods for biocontrol at scale. Another example of a natural approach that has been successfully brought to market is the production of peanuts with a reduced level of aflatoxin through the application of a competitive strain of A. flavus. This strain is not capable of making the aflatoxin and out-competes the toxin-producing strains naturally present, thereby lowering levels to 3% of what it would otherwise be in shelled, edible-grade peanuts. In many cases, it is thought that this natural pesticide has sufficient efficacy but with the added advantage of much lower levels of detrimental side effects compared to the standard synthetic chemicals. Chemical fertilisers, particularly nitrogen, are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions both in the production phase and on-farm. To sustainably increase yield, there is a need to improve efficiencies of nutrient use, reduce losses and ideally identify low carbon nutrient sources. The company is seeking sustainable methods that can reduce the amount of agrochemicals being used, and/or its environmental impact.

The company is looking for clean label, plant-based ingredients with authentic credentials on taste, texture and appearance (for example - fruit and vegetables, grains and seeds legumes, beans, roots, super fruits). They believed that plant-based ingredient has huge opportunities to be unlocked from nature’s pure, goodness that can give pleasureable taste and maximum health value.  We are interested in Ingredients that are plant-based or plant-derived, or sustainable and/ or are upcycled & have a positive impact on the environment Technologies that help preserve the wholesome, natural benefits of these ingredients