The big idea: Inspired by how nature designed the hard shells of moth caterpillars using self-assembling proteins, scientists have adapted this self-assembling process to make nanocapsules that better protect medicines as they journey through the body.

What’s unique: Self-assembly isn’t just cool (imagine IKEA furniture that builds itself) – it’s also eco-friendly, quick and cheap. This can pave the way for everything from better-targeted drugs and time-release capsules to futuristic robots that can heal their own skin when damaged.

Benefits: NTU has cracked the code on these caterpillar-inspired nanocapsules that can shield messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, essential for vaccines like those for COVID-19, from degradation. This means the mRNA can instruct cells to make the proteins that humans need to stay healthy. With this breakthrough, delivering vaccines and treatments will be much easier and faster.

The big idea: With climate change causing more extreme weather, reflecting more of the sun’s heat away from building surfaces with special paint made from plastics is an appealing idea.

What’s unique: By using discarded PVC pipes and styrofoam packaging combined with barium sulphate, NTU scientists created a new type of paint with billions of tiny air pockets. These air pockets act as excellent insulators to reflect sunlight and reduce heat transmission from the painted surface to the wall under it.

Benefits: This innovative paint can lower temperatures by 1.2 to 2.5 degrees Celsius, outperforming conventional cool paints currently on the market. As a result, air conditioners can use less energy, and energy-efficient fans will work more effectively, leading to cost savings and reduced carbon emissions – all while recycling waste plastics. Truly a cool invention!

The big idea: What if humans can climb walls like geckos? Scientists have copied the secret of gecko feet – which have billions of tiny microscopic hairs with spatula-shaped ends – and created a shape-memory polymer pad that can hold up to 200 times its weight.

What’s unique: Unlike conventional glue or sticky tape, which are often single-use, this shape-shifting polymer glue can return to its original state after use when heat is applied. So its “stickiness” can be switched on or off.

Benefits: Hail the arrival of smart, reusable sticky pads for securing hooks or anchor points to walls. If robots had these, they could climb walls and revolutionise tasks like cleaning and painting. It might not be long before humans can scale walls like Spiderman.