NUK Sustainability Report

2026-07-17

Two research teams led by Distinguished Professors Wen-Fu Ho and Yi-Chang Chung of the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) were invited to participate in BIO Asia–Taiwan 2026. The teams presented two innovative technologies—high-performance medical implant materials and a nanodrug delivery platform—demonstrating NUK’s research capabilities in biomedical materials, smart healthcare, and medical technology.

The exhibition was coordinated by NUK’s Industry–University Cooperation and Incubation Center under the Office of Research and Development. The two research teams showcased their representative achievements at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1, from July 16 to 19.

Chin-Fu Kuo, Director of the Industry–University Cooperation and Incubation Center, stated that NUK has long cultivated expertise in biomedical materials, biotechnology, and healthcare. Through industry–university collaboration, technology transfer, and business incubation, the university continues to support the commercialization and practical application of research outcomes.

By participating in BIO Asia–Taiwan 2026, NUK aims to establish further technology partnerships with domestic and international companies, create new commercialization opportunities, and accelerate the transition of scientific research into real-world applications.

Next-Generation Biomedical Implant Materials

Professor Ho’s team presented its metastable beta titanium-rich medium-entropy alloy and manufacturing technology, a next-generation biomedical implant material combining high strength, a low elastic modulus, high resilience, and excellent corrosion resistance.

Compared with conventional implant materials such as 316L stainless steel, cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys, and Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloys, the newly developed material can reduce the risks of stress shielding and metal ion release after implantation. These properties may improve implant stability and extend service life.

In its as-cast condition, the material achieves a yield strength exceeding 1,100 MPa while maintaining an elastic modulus below 110 GPa. It delivers strong mechanical performance and biocompatibility without requiring additional heat treatment, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

The medium-entropy alloy developed by Professor Ho’s team also demonstrates greater resilience than several existing biomedical alloys while retaining a relatively low elastic modulus. Its mechanical properties more closely resemble those of human bone, reducing the mismatch between implants and surrounding skeletal tissue.

The technology has strong potential for use in advanced medical devices, including artificial joints, femoral stems, and other orthopedic implants. It may help extend implant durability and improve patients’ postoperative quality of life.

Low-Temperature Self-Assembling Nanocarrier Platform

Professor Chung’s team presented its independently developed low-temperature self-assembling nanoencapsulation platform and applications.

The platform overcomes several limitations of conventional nanocarrier manufacturing, which often requires organic solvents, high-pressure homogenization, or high-temperature processing. Using a proprietary green phase-transition technology, the platform can complete nanoencapsulation at room temperature, substantially reducing process energy consumption while preserving the stability of active ingredients.

The system can encapsulate hydrophilic substances, hydrophobic compounds, and biomolecules. It also supports layer-by-layer surface modification, significantly improving particle stability and enabling the preparation of customized, concentration-adjustable nanoformulations.

The platform produces nanocarriers with a particle size of approximately 100 nanometers. These carriers can be formulated for transdermal and sustained-release delivery, enhancing skin absorption and cellular penetration. The technology offers potential advantages for localized delivery, controlled release, and precision medicine.

The platform has already been applied to the development of nano-astaxanthin, nano-curcumin, nano-plant extracts, nano-vitamins, and nano-formulated traditional Chinese medicinal ointments.

Depending on application requirements, the technology can be used to produce serums, lotions, ointments, and other dosage forms. Its future applications may include biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, health foods, medical aesthetics, and the high-value utilization of natural plant extracts, offering safer and more efficient solutions for delivering drugs and bioactive ingredients.

#SDG3 #SDG9 #SDG12 #SDG17
@Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering · Industry–University Cooperation and Incubation Center, Office of Research and Development | Activities