NCKU Develops Micro-Robot Microfluidic Platform, Wins International Invention Exhibition Awards
National Cheng Kung University's Professor Chen Chia-Yuan and his team developed an active bio-analysis platform integrating magnetically controlled micro-robots and microfluidic biochips. This platform won two major awards, including a Gold Medal and a Special Award, at the 2026 Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE). The technology significantly improved zebrafish sperm activation rates to over 80% after thawing and reduced operation time. The system has been miniaturized into a portable device and is being developed for human medical applications, biomedical testing, drug screening, and smart microfluidic systems.
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- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 19:28
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National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) announced today that Professor Chen Chia-Yuan from the Department of Mechanical Engineering led a research team to successfully develop an active bio-analysis platform that combines magnetically controlled micro-robots with microfluidic biochips. This platform received two major awards at the 2026 Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE), including the Invention Gold Medal Award and a Special Award presented by the Malaysian Association of Invention and Innovation. The team was specifically highlighted as a research team from Taiwan by the event's emcee.
The medical technology sector continues to advance, with non-contact micro-robot technology gaining increasing attention. The micro-robot industry has seen robust growth in recent years, particularly in expanding medical application markets. Professor Chen's team's platform, applied to zebrafish widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for sperm activation, demonstrated groundbreaking results.
In the application of zebrafish sperm activation, where sperm activity often significantly declines after freezing and thawing, the research team integrated their self-designed magnetic micro-robots into a microfluidic chip. Through a self-designed miniaturized external magnetic field control system for non-contact control, they successfully increased the post-thaw sperm activation rate to over 80% and significantly reduced operation time, enhancing application efficiency.
NCKU stated that the technology developed by Professor Chen and his team has been validated in animal models, establishing its reliability in biological applications. Future plans include further development towards human-related medical applications and extension into fields such as biomedical testing, drug screening, and smart microfluidic systems, aiming for subsequent home care applications.
The team further miniaturized the system from large laboratory equipment to a palm-sized portable device and successfully reduced operating power, enhancing its practical application potential. Related research results have been published in over 20 SCI international journals in recent years and featured by 4 international publishers and over 6 different international journals, covering micro-robot control, microfluidic manipulation, and biological applications, validating their strong technological innovation.
The MTE International Invention Exhibition is a highly influential international event in Malaysia, dedicated to promoting creative inventions, emerging technologies, and social services. Supported by government agencies such as the Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Ministry of Education, it has been held for over 20 consecutive years. This year's event took place from April 9 to 11 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
NCKU noted that the MTE Special Award is typically granted to outstanding works with high innovation, practicality, and market potential. With strong international recognition from judges, Professor Chen Chia-Yuan's research team will continue to promote their developed biochip system to more international industry platforms.
The medical technology sector continues to advance, with non-contact micro-robot technology gaining increasing attention. The micro-robot industry has seen robust growth in recent years, particularly in expanding medical application markets. Professor Chen's team's platform, applied to zebrafish widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for sperm activation, demonstrated groundbreaking results.
In the application of zebrafish sperm activation, where sperm activity often significantly declines after freezing and thawing, the research team integrated their self-designed magnetic micro-robots into a microfluidic chip. Through a self-designed miniaturized external magnetic field control system for non-contact control, they successfully increased the post-thaw sperm activation rate to over 80% and significantly reduced operation time, enhancing application efficiency.
NCKU stated that the technology developed by Professor Chen and his team has been validated in animal models, establishing its reliability in biological applications. Future plans include further development towards human-related medical applications and extension into fields such as biomedical testing, drug screening, and smart microfluidic systems, aiming for subsequent home care applications.
The team further miniaturized the system from large laboratory equipment to a palm-sized portable device and successfully reduced operating power, enhancing its practical application potential. Related research results have been published in over 20 SCI international journals in recent years and featured by 4 international publishers and over 6 different international journals, covering micro-robot control, microfluidic manipulation, and biological applications, validating their strong technological innovation.
The MTE International Invention Exhibition is a highly influential international event in Malaysia, dedicated to promoting creative inventions, emerging technologies, and social services. Supported by government agencies such as the Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Ministry of Education, it has been held for over 20 consecutive years. This year's event took place from April 9 to 11 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
NCKU noted that the MTE Special Award is typically granted to outstanding works with high innovation, practicality, and market potential. With strong international recognition from judges, Professor Chen Chia-Yuan's research team will continue to promote their developed biochip system to more international industry platforms.