HIGHLIGHTS

• Seven Impactful Public-Focused Innovations: Thammasat University showcased seven diverse innovations—from medical technology to sustainable materials—highlighting its mission to improve Thai society’s quality of life through practical research.
• Green and Sustainable Technologies: Innovations like Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) for Thai herbs and self-healing concrete with bacteria demonstrate environmentally friendly solutions with economic and industrial benefits.
• Health and Elderly Care Solutions: Projects such as the Smart Mobile Clinic, semi-automatic electric standing wheelchair, and Sit-to-Stand Trainer enhance accessibility, promote well-being for the elderly and disabled, and support Thailand’s shift towards an ageing society.
• Smart Public Safety and Hospital Management: The Future Street VR project tackles road safety using immersive tech, while the Oxygen Leak Monitoring System ensures real-time hospital safety—both examples of smart, preventive systems.
• Real-World Applications with Societal Reach: All innovations were featured at the 2024 Thammasat Red Cross Fair under the theme “We Share, We Change, We Win”, reinforcing Thammasat’s dedication to public service, inclusive innovation, and national development.

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As Thammasat University celebrates its 90th anniversary, it remains steadfast in its mission to conduct research and develop innovations that directly address and solve the challenges facing Thai society. Tangible innovations that bring public benefit truly reflect this commitment. Join us as we explore seven standout innovations from Thammasat University, showcasing how academic knowledge is applied to improve the quality of life for the public and propel Thai society into the future.

These seven innovations are remarkably diverse, spanning everything from health and medical technologies to sustainable construction materials, road safety technology, and assistive devices designed to enhance the quality of life for the elderly and those with special needs. These achievements not only highlight the capabilities of our faculty and researchers but also demonstrate an approach to technology development that thoughtfully considers both societal and environmental impacts alongside practical efficiency.

All seven of these impressive innovations were recently displayed at the “Thammasat Red Cross Fair 2024.” The event’s theme, “Stepping into 91 Years: ‘Thammasat,’ A Name That Gives – ONE TU: We Share, We Change, We Win,” perfectly captured the university’s spirit of “giving” and its dedication to sharing, driving change, and leading society towards a better future.

1. Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE): Green Technology for Thai Herbs

A research team led by Associate Professor Dr. Dusit Athinuwat from the Faculty of Science and Technology has pioneered an innovative method for extracting bioactive compounds from roses and Thai medicinal plants using Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE). This technique harnesses microwave energy to directly heat solvent molecules and water within plant cells. This rapid heating and pressure buildup cause cell walls to rupture, efficiently releasing vital compounds.

The MAE technique overcomes the limitations of traditional extraction methods, which are often time-consuming, energy-intensive, and require significant amounts of chemicals. MAE can reduce extraction time to just 15-30 minutes, cut solvent use by up to tenfold, and produce extracts with higher concentration and biological efficacy, such as antioxidant activity. Crucially, MAE is considered a “Green Extraction” technology. It’s environmentally friendly and safe for consumers, as it significantly reduces energy consumption, minimises waste, and leaves no toxic residues. These high-quality extracts hold immense potential for the food, beverage, cosmetics, and dietary supplement industries, ultimately helping to lower costs and boost the competitiveness of Thai entrepreneurs.

2. Future Street: Virtual Reality (VR) for Road Safety

“Future Street” is an innovative project that applies Virtual Reality (VR) technology to enhance road safety. While detailed information is still emerging, this innovation aims to help reduce road accidents and casualties, which remain a significant national problem. VR technology has diverse potential applications, such as creating hazardous simulated scenarios to train drivers or road users in decision-making without real-world risks, assessing the dangers of specific road conditions or intersections, or testing the effectiveness of new safety measures before their actual implementation. Using VR in this field represents a modern approach that aligns with national efforts to tackle road accidents.

3. Smart Mobile Clinic: An Intelligent Home Visit Kit for Proactive Healthcare

The Smart Mobile Clinic is a high-tech home visit kit designed for healthcare professionals to monitor patients in their homes. The kit includes a comprehensive set of basic medical devices, such as a weight scale, thermometer, pulse oximeter (SpO2), blood pressure monitor, and blood glucose meter (DTX). A key feature is that these devices wirelessly connect to a smartphone or tablet application. Health data is automatically recorded, sent to a cloud system, and linked directly with the Hospital Information System (HIS). The application also assists with preliminary symptom screening and displays real-time results.

This innovation improves access to healthcare services for individuals who find it difficult to travel to hospitals, such as the elderly, chronic patients, or those who are bedridden. It reduces hospital overcrowding, lessens the burden on healthcare personnel, and allows doctors to continuously and comprehensively monitor patient data. Moreover, it supports telemedicine and home healthcare, which are increasingly vital in an ageing society, and could even lead to the creation of large health data repositories (Big Data) for future public health planning.

4. Oxygen Leak Monitoring System for Hospitals: Enhancing Patient Safety

This innovation is a real-time monitoring system for the status of hospital emergency oxygen supply systems, developed in collaboration with Yokogawa (Thailand) Ltd. Its purpose is to prevent the unavailability of backup oxygen in emergencies. The system uses sensors to measure residual gas volume and pressure in the distribution pipes and storage tanks. Data is processed and displayed via a web application, allowing caregivers to monitor it constantly.

Its key features include the ability to calculate the remaining oxygen usage time and an automated alert system via web application, LINE, and email when anomalies are detected, such as low gas levels or leaks. This system mitigates risks to patients requiring oxygen, improves oxygen inventory management, reduces waste, and enables timely responses to issues. It effectively shifts management from a reactive to a proactive and predictive surveillance approach, significantly enhancing the reliability of oxygen systems—a critical infrastructure in any hospital.

5. Self-Healing Concrete with Bacteria: A Sustainable Construction Material Innovation

Professor Dr Suched Likitlersuang from Chulalongkorn University and Associate Professor Dr. Chanachai Thongchom from the Faculty of Engineering have developed “self-healing concrete” that can repair small cracks. This is achieved by incorporating durable, naturally occurring bacterial spores (such as Bacillus sphaericus) into the concrete mix. The principle is straightforward: when cracks form and moisture seeps in, the bacterial spores are activated. They produce the enzyme urease, which breaks down urea, leading to the formation of carbonate ions and an alkaline environment. Calcium ions in the concrete then react with these carbonate ions, forming calcium carbonate crystals (limestone) that precipitate and fill the cracks.

The research team developed a technique for encapsulating spores with sodium alginate and freeze-drying them to enhance their durability and effectiveness. They found that this method could repair up to 84.9% of cracks in concrete, restoring its mechanical properties and reducing water permeability. This innovation extends structural lifespan, reduces maintenance costs, is environmentally friendly, minimises construction waste, and enhances safety. It truly represents a significant step towards more sustainable and intelligent construction practices.

6. Semi-Automatic Electric Standing Wheelchair: Restoring Independence and Quality of Life

Assistant Professor Dr. Banyong Rungroungdouyboon from the Faculty of Engineering has developed a wheelchair that allows users with mobility limitations to transition from a sitting to a standing position electrically via remote control. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who lack sufficient arm strength to operate manual standing wheelchairs, such as those with cervical spinal cord injuries or stroke patients. The wheelchair is designed to be agile, facilitate easy transfers, and can adjust to three positions: sitting, semi-sitting/standing, and near-upright standing (80 degrees).

Standing offers numerous health benefits, including stimulating blood circulation, reducing the risk of pressure sores, preventing osteoporosis, and aiding the function of the digestive and urinary systems. Beyond physical benefits, standing allows users to engage in activities at eye level with others, increasing social interaction and promoting human dignity. This wheelchair also serves as an assistive tool for physical therapy and reduces the burden on caregivers. Developed by Thai researchers and tested according to international standards, it provides a more accessible alternative to often-expensive imported products.

7. Sit-to-Stand Trainer: Strengthening Muscles, Reducing Fall Risk

The Sit-to-Stand Trainer, developed jointly by Assistant Professor Dr. Banyong Rungroungdouyboon (Faculty of Engineering) and Associate Professor Dr. Sairak Saadprai (Faculty of Allied Health Sciences), is designed to train the crucial daily skill of transitioning from sitting to standing. This is especially important for the elderly and patients at risk of falls. The device partially supports body weight, making it easier and safer for users to engage their leg and core muscles to stand up, and includes a safety belt to prevent falls.

Falls are a serious concern among the elderly and certain patient groups. This device directly addresses the issue by strengthening the muscles necessary for standing and maintaining balance, thereby reducing the risk of falls, promoting rehabilitation, and lessening the burden on caregivers and physiotherapists. Importantly, it helps users maintain their self-sufficiency for longer, enjoy a better quality of life, and delay dependency. The delivery of this device to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration for use truly represents the practical application of innovation for tangible public benefit.

These seven innovations clearly demonstrate how research and technology are being applied to solve problems and improve the quality of life. This unwavering commitment to developing socially relevant technologies, coupled with collaborative efforts across various sectors, will undoubtedly be a powerful force driving the nation towards a brighter future.