Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) has achieved remarkable success at the 77th iENA International Invention Exhibition held in Nuremberg, Germany, in 2025. Representing Taiwan, the College of Engineering’s Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering showcased four patented technologies and earned one gold, two bronze medals, and the INNOPA Special “Best Innovation Award.”
The gold-winning invention, a “Visualized Nano Microscope” co-patented in Taiwan and the U.S., pioneers total internal reflection scattering measurement to surpass the limits of dark-field microscopy. The innovation enables “nano vision” that allows clear observation of living cells and internal structures, impressing judges with its scientific and practical impact.
Founded in 1948, iENA is one of the world’s most prestigious invention exhibitions, featuring over 540 entries from 21 countries this year. Among Taiwan’s five participating universities, CYCU stood out with multiple awards: Prof. Cheng-An Lin from the Department of Biomedical Engineering received the gold medal; Prof. Yung Chang and Prof. Yi-Feng Lin from the Department of Chemical Engineering each won bronze medals; and Prof. Wei-Jen Liu earned the Best Innovation Award presented by the Indonesian Invention and Innovation Promotion Association (INNOPA).
Prof. Lin’s award-winning Visualized Nano Microscope integrates years of research funded by Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council, industry collaboration with Chao-Chiang Technology, and alumni expertise in optical design and commercialization. The device features an easy-to-operate dark-field microscopy system capable of nanoscale visualization of live cells, pathogens, exosomes, and nanoparticles—opening new frontiers in biomedical imaging, materials science, and cellular research.
The two bronze-medal projects from the Department of Chemical Engineering also demonstrated outstanding innovation:
Prof. Yung Chang’s invention, “Thermally Stable Anti-Biofouling Biomaterial and Its Manufacturing Method,” breaks traditional material limits with a heat-resistant, long-lasting, and eco-friendly biomedical coating applicable to medical devices, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries.
Prof. Yi-Feng Lin’s project, “Copper Oxide-Loaded Cellulose Aerogel and Its Preparation and Applications,” co-developed with graduate student Yu-Yu Chen, introduces a sustainable, low-cost material for industrial wastewater treatment, addressing global environmental challenges.
In addition, Prof. Wei-Jen Liu’s research on “Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries” earned the INNOPA Best Innovation Award, recognized for its high-stability, fast-charging capability, and potential applications in 3C products, machinery, and electric vehicles.
CYCU’s Office of Industry-Academia Operations praised the achievement as a testament to the university’s innovation capacity and the strong link between patent technology and industrial application. The university will continue fostering academia–industry collaboration, transforming technological research into industrial momentum, and realizing CYCU’s educational mission of “Using knowledge to benefit humanity.”
