Speech by Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology in the Ministry of Trade and Industry Dr Tan See Leng at the Opening Ceremony of NTI-NTU Corporate Laboratory

Ms Goh Swee Chen, Board Chair, Board of Trustees, Nanyang Technological University,

Professor Lam Khin Yong, Vice President (Industry), NTU,

Professor Shi Xu, Founder, Executive Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Nanofilm Technologies International, or NTI, Nanofilm Group

Ladies and gentlemen,

Introduction 

1.            Good morning. Thank you for inviting me to join you at the Opening Ceremony of the NTI-NTU Corporate Laboratory. 

2.            Today marks a significant chapter for the lab – from its commencement as a research programme more than two years ago, to now being a fully operational lab equipped with industrial systems and advanced research platforms that will accelerate innovation breakthroughs.

 Deepening industry-academia partnerships

3.            This lab demonstrates how public research institutions and the private sector can collaborate effectively to catalyse industry-ready innovations. It is supported under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 plan, or RIE 2025, and made possible by the strong partnership forged between Nanofilm and NTU. 

4.            Strategic research and development (R&D) partnerships between local enterprises and research institutions are what we seek to encourage through RIE – to create a vibrant ecosystem that boosts public-private research partnerships and local talent development. 

Breaking new grounds

5.            Exemplifying this, the lab has achieved a key breakthrough in the development of a novel coating approach for next-generation semiconductor manufacturing. 

a.    This breakthrough delivers the industry’s first high-throughput and environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional chemical-based methods. 

b.    The coating technology also solves a critical challenge in advanced chip manufacturing, by achieving uniform coatings inside the tiny holes etched into silicon wafers that are essential for manufacturing chips. 

c.    This provides chipmakers with a higher performance alternative, and will boost Singapore’s advanced chip manufacturing capabilities. 

6.            There are also developments in healthcare, with the creation of biocompatible coatings for dental implants in collaboration with the National Dental Centre Singapore. 

a.    The coatings address persistent clinical challenges such as poor implant-bone integration, infection risk, and prolonged healing times. 

b.    This innovation promises faster recovery and fewer complications for patients. It will also reduce the need for corrective procedures, supporting more cost-effective dental care across Singapore’s healthcare system. 

c.    I look forward to witnessing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing for this collaboration today, which will certainly bring a brighter smile to everyone’s faces. 

7.            I am excited to hear that the lab is also pioneering solutions in clean energy. 

a.    Work is being done to develop cheaper and more durable components for hydrogen electrolysers and fuel cells. These are important pieces of equipment for the production and use of hydrogen. 

b.    Such projects will help to unlock the potential of the hydrogen economy and move us closer to a cleaner energy future. 

Maintaining Singapore’s competitive edge 

8.            Our country’s competitive edge in an increasingly complex global economy also exemplifies how Singapore can maintain our competitive edge in science and technology. Through next-generation coating technologies and AI-driven optimisation frameworks, we will be able to strengthen Singapore’s position in high-growth segments and create even more opportunities for Singaporeans. 

9.            These opportunities are already materialising. The lab is cultivating the next generation of deep tech talent with more than 60 researchers and PhDs working on 10 industry-focused projects. Such partnerships must continue – to ensure that research breakthroughs translate into market-ready solutions that generate economic value. 

Conclusion

10.         To conclude, I would like to congratulate Nanofilm and NTU on this significant milestone. You have been a model for innovation that successfully brings together research excellence with industry expertise to create value for Singapore. 

11.         I look forward to seeing more innovation come out of the NTI-NTU Corporate Lab. The Government will continue to lend its support to multiply such industry-led efforts. 

12.         Thank you.