MCUT's R&D Strength Recognized Again: Two 2026 Future Tech Awards and 1 Gold, 5 Silver, 2 Bronze at Taiwan Innotech Expo
Ming Chi University of Technology (MCUT) has once again achieved success on the national stage for scientific research! This year, the university secured two prestigious awards at the National Science and Technology Council’s "2026 Future Tech Awards." Professor Shun-Yi Jian was recognized for his "Next-Generation Eco-friendly Anti-Corrosion Coating Technology for Magnesium Alloys," while Professor Yi-Ting Lai and co-principal investigator Professor Tai Nien-hua were honored for their project, "Sustainable Phosphorus Utilization." Out of more than 650 entries nationwide—with only 84 ultimately selected for awards—MCUT not only claimed two spots but also stood out as the only private technological university to receive an award this year. This accomplishment underscores the robust capabilities of vocational and technical higher education institutions in driving scientific innovation and industrial application.
Eco-friendly Magnesium Alloy Coating Surpasses Traditional Processes; Attracts Interest from International Corporations
The next-generation anti-corrosion coating technology developed by Professor Shun-Yi Jian’s team utilizes an environmentally friendly process that operates at room temperature, requires low voltage, and features a short cycle time. Compared to traditional methods such as anodizing or micro-arc oxidation, this approach significantly reduces both energy consumption and environmental pollution.
Notably, this technology has moved beyond the laboratory stage. To accelerate the industrialization of his research, Professor Shun-Yi Jian founded Yijin Technology Co., Ltd. this June. By collaborating with industry partners to promote product applications, he has established a bridge between academia and industry—linking research-based technology and process validation to real-world market applications.
Following the announcement of the 2026 Future Tech Award, the technology has garnered further international attention. Several global enterprises have already reached out to explore technical collaborations, process integration, and market applications. This demonstrates that this homegrown, eco-friendly surface treatment technology from Taiwan possesses the commercial potential to penetrate international supply chains for lightweight materials and green manufacturing.
"Phosphorus Sustainability" Targets Resource Circulation, Addressing Trends in Net-Zero and the Circular Economy
Another award-winning project, "Phosphorus Sustainability"—developed by Professor Yi-Ting Lai in collaboration with co-principal investigator Nien-Hwa Tai, a Tsing Hua Chair Professor at National Tsing Hua University—focuses on the circulation and sustainable application of phosphorus resources. This initiative aligns with global trends toward net-zero emissions, the circular economy, and green manufacturing.
Phosphorus is an essential resource for agriculture, the food industry, and various other sectors. Consequently, enhancing resource-use efficiency and establishing effective circular-utilization models have become critical issues for sustainable development. By leveraging scientific innovation to address the need for resource circulation, this project—which earned recognition for Ming Chi University of Technology—spans the dual domains of "green material processes" and "sustainable resource application," further strengthening the university’s research profile in advanced materials and environmental sustainability.
Moving from the laboratory to the production line, scientific research findings are being transformed into genuine industrial competitiveness.
The fact that two technologies received awards simultaneously demonstrates the success of Ming Chi University of Technology’s long-standing strategy to promote industry-academia collaboration, technology transfer, and the commercialization of research outcomes. Moving forward, the university will leverage these award-winning technologies to forge connections with domestic and international enterprises, investors, and research institutions, thereby advancing technology validation, industry-academia partnerships, and market entry.
Furthermore, at this year’s Taiwan Innotech Expo, Ming Chi University of Technology presented 20 entries, securing 1 gold, 5 silver, and 2 bronze medals. This achievement ranks the university 5th among all universities in Taiwan, 2nd among all universities of science and technology, and 1st among all private universities nationwide.
This exhibition features 20 innovative research and development achievements spanning the fields of green energy, biomedicine, and smart manufacturing. Among these, a gold medal was awarded to a project by Professor Liu Ding-yu of the Department of Materials Engineering: "A Dual-Function Electrochemical and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Sensing Element Based on Metal-Organic Frameworks." Silver medals were presented to: "Composite Electrode" by Professor Yi-Ting Lai (Department of Materials Engineering); "Method for Converting Acoustic Energy into Electrical Energy" by Professor Huang Zong-yu (Department of Materials Engineering); "Detection System and Violation Detection Method for Vehicles" by Professor Yen-Jen Chen (Department of Electronic Engineering); "Stylized Chair (I)" by Professor Lai Wan-yin (Department of Industrial Design); and "Carbonated Apatite Bone-Filling Granules, Preparation Method Thereof, and Uses Thereof" by Professor Chen Bing-yi (Biomedical Engineering Program). Bronze medals were awarded to: "Hybrid Retrieval-Driven Intelligent Question-Answering Method and System" by Professor En-Cheng Liou (Department of Electrical Engineering); and "Polymer Blend Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering and Preparation Method Thereof" by Professor Chang Chun-yu (Semiconductor Program).
Ming Chi University of Technology (MCUT) has set its development goal as becoming an "industry-academia R&D-focused university of technology." By investing significant research resources and participating in the "2026 Taiwan Innotech Expo," the university aims to showcase its robust research and development capabilities. Industry professionals interested in these technologies are invited to contact the Industry-University Collaboration Center at MCUT to explore potential partnerships; please call (02) 2908-9899, extensions 3071, 3069, or 3038.
Image (No. 1) Description: Professor Jian (fourth from right) and his team received the 2026 Future Tech Award. Pictured with them are Su, Vice Minister of the National Science and Technology Council (fourth from left); Lin, Director of the Department of Academia-Industry Collaboration and Science Park Affairs (second from left); Deputy Director Wu (first from left); and Liu, President of Ming Chi University of Technology (third from left).
Image (No. 2) Description: The team led by Professor Lai (third from right) received the 2026 Future Tech Award. Pictured with them are Su, Vice Minister of the National Science and Technology Council (third from left), as well as Liu, President of Ming Chi University of Technology (second from right), and Chen, Dean of Research and Development (first from right).
Image (No. 3) Description: Congratulations to all the winning faculty members and research teams! We extend our gratitude to our faculty and students for their dedication and hard efforts in innovation and R&D—efforts that have allowed Ming Chi University of Technology’s research achievements to shine in national-level competitions!
Image (No. 4) Description: Ming Chi University of Technology delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 Taiwan Innotech Expo invention competition, securing one gold, five silver, and two bronze medals. With this total medal count, the university ranked fifth among all universities nationwide and second among all universities of science and technology—a testament to the exceptional innovation and R&D capabilities of our faculty and students!
