26-27 April 2023, Bangkok, Thailand.
Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC) held the event "PMUC Research for Thailand's Competitiveness 2023" (note: news article in Thai language), showcasing research and innovations that have successfully progress from the prototype stage in the laboratory (TRL4) to commercialization (TRL9) with funding support from 8 working groups of PMUC. These groups include High-Value Food; Health and Medical; Energy, Chemistry, and Bio-based Materials; Tourism and Creative Economy; Digital Platform; Circular Economy; Future Mobility Systems; and Rail Logistics Systems.
Not only the exhibition showcased research outputs that have become real products successfully launched into the market, but the event also included various seminars and panel discussions with a focus on igniting economic growth, featuring top government officials and leading CEOs. Dr. Pichaya Pattanasattayavong, Cleantech & Beyond's CEO and CTO, was invited to join the panel discussion on the topic, "Success of driving research work towards commercialization".
Dr. Pichaya shared his experiences on the pivotal aspect of transforming fundamental laboratory research into commercial products. The discussion encompassed key strategies, methodologies, and factors essential in the process of successfully transitioning research findings into market-ready innovations that can be effectively commercialized.
Our DTI products started from the basic research done at the Electronic Devices and Materials Innovation Lab led by Dr. Pichaya, in the School of Molecular Science and Engineering, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC). The research team investigated and developed novel thermoresponsive materials for temperature sensors.
During the initial phases, the project was supported by IRPC Public Company Limited and resulted in the proof-of-concept and lab prototype (TRL4) demonstrations. Following that, the project received the crucial funding from PMUC and continued support from IRPC to bridge the gap between the laboratory research and the development of practical products (TRL9). In effect, this funding stage was instrumental for the conversion of fundamental knowledge (material recipes and properties) into marketable products (DTI Digital Temperature Indicator with pilot scale production). Cleantech & Beyond was then founded to fully commercialize the innovative DTI.
