The award recognises Singapore-based engineering projects that demonstrate outstanding engineering skill and help better the quality of life. The win is also a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of A*STAR and Temasek Polytechnic (TP) scientists in turning lab research into a viable consumer product.
Singapore, 14 September 2013 – Launched earlier this year, EyeFly3D, the first glasses-free 3D accessory for smartphones, has just picked up its first award from IES. The technology is based on a simple concept of taking a regular plastic film and engineering about half a million uniform-sized mini lenses onto its surface, turning the plastic into an add-on screen protector that produces unprecedented, distortion-free, brilliant 3D content on mobile devices. Unlike some thicker glasses-free 3D filters, this award-winning technology does not affect the touchscreen sensitivity, brightness and resolution of the smartphones. At a mere 0.1mm, EyeFly3D is the first glasses-free 3D accessory that can display content in both portrait and landscape mode, doing away with the need for cumbersome 3D glasses and power-draining and costly built-in 3D screens.
For this engineering feat, scientists from A*STAR’s IMRE and TP employ a combination of materials nanotechnology and integrated software, using a unique nanoimprinting process on the plastic - akin to making a waffle - to create an array of high resolution lenses. The engineered lenses are so small that they are barely visible to the human eye and do not impact the visual quality of mobile screens as seen through the plastic. Hence users can enjoy both seamless 2D and 3D effects on the same screen protector, compared to other films available in the market that may distort normal screen visuals. Coupled with the proprietary TP-developed software applications for both the Apple iOS and Android platforms, mobile device users are able to play 3D content via the film, in both landscape and portrait formats, and these applications also allow 2D pictures taken to be converted into 3D. A software development kit is currently underway to enable game developers to convert their existing games into 3D versions.
Entrepreneurship support and vital funding from A*STAR’s commercialisation arm, ETPL, were the main drivers in translating the nanoimprint research into a consumer product by driving proof-of-concept prototypes and generating market interest at major events like Singapore’s TechVenture 2012 and the premier Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas this year.
“The award is a testament to an engineering breakthrough that has provided a local Singaporean company the opportunity to lead on the world stage. It also shows how Singapore can couple its creativity into a commercial proposition,” said Nanoveu Pte Ltd Founder and CEO, Mr Alfred Chong. Nanoveu will be rolling the product out to Europe, the USA, Japan and Australia in time for Christmas this year. China and other Asian markets will quickly follow in early 2014.
“We get a lot of positive attention wherever we demonstrate EyeFly3D,” added Mr Chong. “We think the biggest game changer will be our iPad model which is scheduled for release in Q1, 2014.” At the moment EyeFly3D is available for the iPhone 5 and 4S models and the iPod Touch 5. The company is planning to release new models for the iPhone 5C and 5S and selected Android phones by the end of the year. Since its launch in April 2013, EyeFly3D has been sold to consumers in over 61 countries.
“Eyefly3D demonstrates how we can turn innovative research into competitive technologies and ultimately, products that benefit consumers. The versatile and industry-ready nanoimprinting technique allows us to rapidly develop research concepts and designs into functional prototypes that can easily be adapted to mass production,” explained Dr Jaslyn Law, part of the award-winning team and the IMRE scientist who developed the base technology together with TP researchers.
Temasek Polytechnic's Deputy Principal, Mrs Lay-Tan Siok Lie, said: "This project emphasises our continuous commitment to developing and bringing cutting edge technology from lab to market, in close collaboration with our key partners. We are indeed delighted to have been given this award, which endorses our effort in always pushing the boundaries of technology through research & development, while raising the capability of our staff and students in the process. Temasek Polytechnic will continue to strive to add value to the R&D landscape in Singapore through its Centres of Excellence.”
Encl. Annex A: Corporate Profiles
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Annex A – Corporate Profiles
About Nanoveu Pte Ltd
Nanoveu is a leading provider of thin film based nano structures that can shape our vision when viewed through modern day, high resolution smart devices. Using a patent pending process of manufacturing, Nanoveu’s breakthrough is in delivering distortion free 2D/3D videos, photos and games on smartphones and tablets. Its security product, Veuflex offers unprecedented patterning combinations through sub-pixel manipulation and a visual key that cannot be detected by the naked eye. Nanoveu is a key enabler for a new generation of low cost alternative to privacy films, 2-Factor authentication replacement, Glasses free 3D on smart devices and Visual encryption. Please visit www.nanoveu.com for more information.
About Temasek Polytechnic
Temasek Polytechnic (TP) is a significant contributor to the field of para-professional education in Singapore. TP currently offers 52 full-time diploma courses in the areas of applied science, business, design, engineering, humanities & social sciences and informatics & IT. It also offers over 40 part-time courses, up to the advanced diploma level. TP students undergo a holistic learning system that combines hands-on experience, character education and relevant life skills, in an enriching learning environment. The Polytechnic has also infused global realities into its programmes and developed a mindset on campus that embraces socio-cultural diversity. These approaches ensure that TP graduates are economy relevant, future relevant and life relevant. For more information, please visit www.tp.edu.sg.
About the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE)
The Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) is a research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). The Institute has capabilities in materials analysis & characterisation, design & growth, patterning & fabrication, and synthesis & integration. We house a range of state-of-the-art equipment for materials research including development, processing and characterisation. IMRE conducts a wide range of research, which includes novel materials for organic solar cells, photovoltaics, printed electronics, catalysis, bio-mimetics, microfluidics, quantum dots, heterostructures, sustainable materials, atom technology, etc. We collaborate actively with other research institutes, universities, public bodies, and a wide spectrum of industrial companies, both globally and locally. For more information about IMRE, please visit www.imre.a-star.edu.sg.
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector agency that fosters world-class scientific research and talent to drive economic growth and transform Singapore into a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation driven economy. In line with its mission-oriented mandate, A*STAR spearheads research and development in fields that are essential to growing Singapore’s manufacturing sector and catalysing new growth industries. A*STAR supports these economic clusters by providing intellectual, human and industrial capital to its partners in industry. A*STAR oversees 20 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research entities, located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis as well as their vicinity. These two R&D hubs house a bustling and diverse community of local and international research scientists and engineers from A*STAR’s research entities as well as a growing number of corporate laboratories. Please visit www.a-star.edu.sg.
